In Purrsuit of Flavours

 We are joining Phenny and Nelly again for In Purrsuit of Flavors.  The month of April will feature youthful yummies.

Easter is one of my favorite times of the year for baking special treats that my Nonna used to make.   One of her specialties at Easter was her ham pie also known as Pizzagaina, but I don't ever remember hearing Nonna call it that.  

The ingredients are 2 fully cooked ham slices, a deli-package of salami, one entire "basket" of basket cheese, one pound of ricotta, 5 eggs, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese and this year, mom added a small amount of sharp provolone because she had it on hand. 

Mix the ricotta and eggs together and add the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper~

The ham and salami and basket cheese needs to be diced smallish.

Fold the meats and cheeses into the ricotta-egg mixture.

Mom has made her own crust in the past but she didn't this time.    Spoon all of the ingredients into the 9 1/2" crust and top with a lattice crust.  

Bake in a 350 degree oven for approx 1 hour and 20 minutes.   It may need to go longer so test it with a knife and make sure the knife comes out clean. 

For years, my family and I made the trip from our home in Ellicott City, Maryland, to Nonni and Nonni's house in Hamden, Connecticut.  It was a six hour drive and not the most fun drive for young kids but it was sure fun once we got there.   Easter dinner with Nonna and Nonni and my aunts and uncles and cousins was always fun and always SuperYummy. 

Nonna also made her rice pie for Easter which I dearly love also.

Yes, of course, Molly got a small taste☺

Thank you for choosing yummy treats, Phenny and Nelly.   Mom has wonderful memories of spending time with her grandparents on her dad's side.   How we wish we could have another Easter with all of them squished around Nonna's dining room table with literally no elbow room.   It was the most wonderful time of my life♥

Love ya lots♥

Sue with Molly