A few years ago when I started working in Philadelphia I began to realize that somethings – even if only a few miles across either the Ben Franklin or Walt Whitman Bridge – were really only known in South Jersey. As I continued to meet people further west in PA the same story continued – I would ask someone if they have every heard of this delicacy and I would just about always receive the same response – a blank stare followed by a profound no.
I am talking about the Panzarotti of course!
Since many of the people who are frequent readers of Inside Our Shell are not from South Jersey ((Those of you who are feel free to laugh at those who have not experienced the deliciousness of the Panzarotti!)), let me explain exactly what this so-called Panzarotti is all about. By definition a Panzarotti is:
A Panzarotti is a pocket of dough stuffed with a generous portion of mozzarella cheese and a home made sauce. This marvelous tasty treat is then deep fried to a crisp golden brown. There’s even more: the sealed pocket can be opened and resealed so you can add your favorite topping into the pocket. Pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese, mushrooms or anything you can put on a pizza takes the Panzarotti to another level.
When I’ve described this to people in the past they always say something stupid like “Oh, a Calzone” or “Oh, a Stromboli”. No, this is a Panzarotti. It’s made with Pizza dough and resembles a perogie that’s about 6 inches big. Then it’s DEEP FRIED!
OMG my mouth is watering as I write this now…
Another huge problem with the Panzarotti is that for some reason they are mostly limited to Southern New Jersey, so ever since I moved to good old Pottstown I’ve been without ((Unless I manage to score one when visiting family)). See the original Panzarotti – a TarantiniPanzarotti – can only be purchased from the Tarantini Panzarotti Pizzeria Corporation which is why they are so hard to find.
Well low and behold one of the Pizza places local to Pottstown ((Right around the corner actually, how convenient is that?!)) has started to carry them. Of course not being from South Jersey they do things a bit backwards, for example, if you order any toppings they actually open it up by cutting a huge hole in the side which we Jersey folk know is absolutely ass-backwards. Regardless, order one plain and they taste almost as good as the first one I ever had…
Just dial 856.881.4412 and you’ll hear “Super Sub, pick up or delivery?” :heart:
I didn’t proof this, just don’t feel like doing it… 😛
Josh's Mom said,
October 5, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
I’m still trying to count the reasons why I stayed in Jersey, but “YES” the Panzarotti is most defintely one at the top of the list. Thinking about it, that might actually be the only thing at the top.
Megs said,
October 12, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
I was lucky enough to try a Ptown version of this Southern Jersey treat and it is really good! I do want to try and original at some point, although if given a choice I go for the Thinzetti’s those things are too good to pass up!