Savoring the Seasons: A Guide to Making Authentic Pizza Quattro Stagioni at Home

 

Making Pizza Quattro Stagioni, or "Four Seasons Pizza," is a delightful way to enjoy a variety of toppings each representing a different season, all on one pizza. Here's a simple recipe to bring this Italian classic to your kitchen:

Ingredients:

• Pizza Dough: You can use a pre-made dough or make your own with 2 ¼ tsp dry yeast, 1 ½ cup warm water, 3 ½ cups of flour, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar.
• Pizza Sauce: Use about ½ cup of your favorite tomato sauce or make a simple one with crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, and a pinch of sugar.
• Cheese: 2 cups of shredded mozzarella or a mix of mozzarella and provolone.
• Toppings for the Four Seasons:

• Spring: Artichokes (canned or marinated and drained)
• Summer: Bell peppers, sliced or diced
• Autumn: Mushrooms, sautéed
• Winter: Cooked ham, sliced or cubed

• Optional: Olives, basil leaves, and extra olive oil for finishing touches.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

• If making from scratch, mix the yeast with warm water and let it sit until frothy (about 5 minutes). Combine the flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to its highest setting, typically between 475°F (245°C) and 500°F (260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
3. Prepare Toppings: While the dough is rising, prepare your toppings. Sauté mushrooms, slice the bell peppers, drain the artichokes, and prepare the ham.
4. Shape the Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it if making multiple pizzas. On a floured surface, stretch or roll out the dough into a 12 to 14-inch circle.
5. Assemble the Pizza: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Sprinkle the cheese over the sauce. Divide the pizza into four quadrants. Place artichokes in one quarter for spring, bell peppers in another for summer, mushrooms in the third for autumn, and ham in the last quarter for winter.
6. Bake: Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (use a pizza peel if you have a pizza stone). Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
7. Finishing Touches: Once out of the oven, you can add fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, or olives if desired. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Enjoy your homemade Pizza Quattro Stagioni with friends or family, celebrating the flavors of all four seasons in one delicious meal!