Brustengo

Name: Brustengo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Water ¾ cup; Type 00 flour 1 cup; Fine salt to taste; Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp; Prosciutto crudo from Norcia 3.5 oz; Pecorino cheese to grate 3.2 oz

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299

Calories per serving

Lactose Free

Energy Kcal 299
Carbohydrates g 23.4
of which sugars g 0.6
Protein g 16.6
Fats g 15.4
of which saturated fat g 6.11
Fiber g 0.8
Cholesterol mg 41
Sodium mg 1365

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Brustengo is this super old-school Umbrian flatbread that's been a thing for ages in the gorgeous region of Umbria, Italy. Really. It comes from Gubbio—a town that's as charming as it sounds. The recipe? Oh, it's pretty simple, just a mix of water and flour. And you know, when you drop that batter into hot oil, something special happens. It turns into this tender, slightly crispy bread that feels like a hug from grandma. Seriously good.

It's kinda like a country-style focaccia, but honestly, it's got its own vibe. The brustengo recipe really shines when you pair it with Umbrian treats, like Prosciutto di Norcia. This ham is famous—like, really really famous—for its deep, savory taste, and it just pairs perfectly with the warm, golden bread. It’s all about showing off the crazy good quality of local ingredients and letting their flavors steal the show.

In Gubbio and nearby places, Italian fried bread isn't just food. It's a way to start a meal, especially when you're hanging out with friends and family. You'll often see it on tables with local cheeses or, when you're lucky, some earthy truffles. Each bite? Feels a bit special.

Brustengo is like the ultimate Gubbio specialty. You are literally tasting the rich food history of the region with each piece. Many say it's the perfect traditional Italian appetizer—great for sharing over a glass of local red wine. The texture? Soft in the middle with a slightly crispy edge, soaking up all the flavors, whether it's salty ham, creamy cheese, or just olive oil.

There's something so comforting about this simple Italian bread. It is not trying to be fancy, but it’s the kind of food that makes you wanna sit down and savor the honest taste of Umbria. Rediscovering these authentic Italian recipes brings a piece of the region's warmth right to your table. And honestly? It's a genuine taste of Italy's culinary heartland.

INGREDIENTS

299

Calories per serving

Ingredients for the dough: Water ¾ cup (200 g); Type 00 flour 1 cup (120 g); Fine salt to taste

for cooking: Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp (15 g)

for serving: Prosciutto crudo 3.5 oz (100 g) - from Norcia; Pecorino cheese 3.2 oz (90 g) - to grate

Preparation

How to prepare Brustengo

To make the brustengo, first prepare the batter: pour the flour into a bowl and add a pinch of salt 1, then pour in the water slowly while stirring with a whisk to prevent lumps 2 until you obtain a fluid and homogeneous mixture 3.

Place a non-stick pan about 10 inches in diameter on the stove, heat the extra virgin olive oil 4 and add the water and flour mixture with a ladle 5; evenly distribute the batter over the entire surface and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes 6.

After 10 minutes, gently lift the edges with a spatula to check that the underside is cooked 7, then flip the brustengo and cook it on the other side for 4-5 minutes 8. Once cooked, transfer the brustengo to a cutting board 9.

and immediately sprinkle the surface with grated pecorino cheese 10. Cut it into 8 slices 11 and serve it hot accompanied by Norcia raw ham: your brustengo is ready to be enjoyed 12!

Storage

It is recommended to serve the brustengo fresh. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, or up to 2-3 days if you haven't added cheese, and then reheat it in a pan before serving. If necessary, you can slice the brustengo and freeze it without toppings.

Advice

The brustengo is even better when accompanied by typical products of its region, but if you wish, you can flavor it with another type of cheese like Parmesan and serve it with your favorite cold cuts!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.