Panzerotti in Bari, the Apulian street food in one of the most beautiful cities of the Region, here is where to eat the best panzarotti, which are those recommended by those who live there and ... eat there!
If there's one thing a Lecce woman shouldn't do, it's speaking well of her biggest competitor ever: Bari. Yes, the hostility between the two cities is not only manifested in the colorful football choirs that, derby yes or derby no, have been pouring into their suburbs for years now, but it is also, and above all, the gastronomic rivalry to feed fun tensions that lead to a fight with blows of “we do this too, but here it has another name and it is certainly better. Indeed, it is tastier ”.
After this brief and necessary premise, my Lecce origins bow their heads in front of the city of Bari, the capital of the Puglia region, and its undisputed and traditional panzerotti, which find effective (and affective) popular recognition that has lasted for incalculable years, and of which the city has made a real business of it.
But let's take a step back. Called to other regions fried pancakes or calzones, the panzerotti, whose swollen half-moon shape recalls a stuffed belly (with mozzarella and tomato), falls into the category called “street food”, and has always been a characteristic of the culinary tradition of Southern Italy. It is in the takeaways that the most folkloric aspects of the city come to life, in clubs "hit & run"Whose production cycle is similar to an assembly line and the concept is to churn out a disproportionate amount of savory delights that can satisfy the appetite of customers on the spot, rigorously savored outside and accompanied by a cold beer.
Bari, also known for being the city where the relics of St. Nicholas, has made this popular custom the key to its success, to the point that tourists on vacation plan during their days to spend from 30 minutes upwards in a row immersed in fried grease, just to be able to eat the famous Baresi panzerotti.
1. By Cosimo
By Cosimo, located in the San Pasquale district, has been celebrating for years the rite of panzerotti eaten "daffoor", then resting on the hood of the car together with an iced Peroni. After 30 minutes of waiting, at a cost of € 1,50 (whose receipt is not always received ...) and a rustic booking system, you can taste the most talked about giant panzerotti in Bari, stuffed with mozzarella and overflowing tomato that if you don't burn your tongue “you only half enjoy”.
2. Il Fornaccio
Moving to the Freedom District, The Fornaccio offers a variety of panzerotti with more interesting flavors, such as ricotta forte, turnips, provolone and mortadella, sausage or spicy salami.
3. Food
Al Food, Located in Bari Old within walking distance of the Cathedral of San Sabino, the panzarotti are a little smaller, but they have a variegated filling (speck, mortadella, gorgonzola, meat) that satisfies all palates. An intelligent move that allows you to taste more than one panzerotto in the same evening, perhaps seated on the steps of the church a few meters away in one of the most suggestive districts of the city.
4. From Maddalena
From Maddalena, in the Carassi district, at slightly higher prices we find huge fried or baked panzerotti, with possibility of home delivery.
5. Pizzeria da Giacomo
Moving instead towards Santo Spirito, a seaside village in the municipality of Bari, located opposite the seafront there is the Pizzeria da Giacomo, furnished in a simple retro style, whose owner with a cordial attitude prepares tasty classic fried or wood-fired panzerotti, to be enjoyed on site or romantically facing the shores of the Adriatic.
In the face of traditions it is difficult to remain silent, even with a full mouth. Whether Lecce or Bari we are children of the same region, therefore, praise to the panzerotto from Bari.
