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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Rustico Leccese (Tomato and Mozzarella Pastry)

    Published: Feb 26, 2021 · Modified: Apr 30, 2021 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    • 18
    Jump to Recipe

    Crunchy pastry with tomato and mozzarella inside — this snack can also be served as an appetizer!  Give Rustico Leccese (Tomato and Mozzarella Pastry) a try, and it will surely become a staple on your table too!

    Three pieces of Rustico pastries served with two cups of espresso.

    (*This post contains some affiliate links)

    Lecce is a part of Salento, a region in the southern portion of Puglia, Italy.  Some Leccese considered this Rustico pastry as a street-food even if it’s normally served in bars and coffee shops. 

    It does not make a difference to me, really. I’m just glad that it’s simple enough that I can make it regularly in Stockholm, and I don’t even have to prepare the dough!

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    Ingredients

    An image showing all the ingredients you need to prepare Rustico Salentino.
    • Tomato sauce – use whatever favorite brand you have.
    • Egg – for brushing the pastry.
    • Salt & pepper – you need this for both the white sauce as well as the filling of Rustico Leccese.
    • Mozzarella – drained and grated.
    • Puff pastry – no need to make your own, just buy them from the supermarket, like what I used in this recipe.
    • Butter – I use unsalted butter.
    • Flour – all-purpose flour is what you need.
    • Milk – regular full-cream milk.
    An overhead shot of Rustico Leccese in aa baking tray, straight out of the oven.

    Preparation

    Start by preparing the white (bechamel) sauce:  melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

    Once the butter has melted, add flour (photo 1).

    Mix for about two minutes (do not let it turn brown), then pour hot milk.

    Mix, and bring to a boil, then season with salt and pepper (photo 2).

    Mix and let cook for three more minutes, then take the pan off the heat and set aside to cool.

    First part of a collage of images showing the step by step process on how to make rustico pastry at home.

    Prepare the puff pastry dough by cutting two different sizes: one is fifteen cm. in diameter, and the other is about thirteen cm (photo 3).

    Brush the bigger circle of dough with egg white, then add two teaspoons of the white sauce (photo 4).

    Add at least two teaspoons of tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, and at least two teaspoons of grated mozzarella (photo 5).

    Use the smaller circle of pastry to cover and seal the sides by pressing with your fingers (photo 6).

    Second part of a collage of images showing the step by step process of making Rustico Pastry.

    Place the covered Rustico pastry in a baking tray lined with a sheet, then place the tray in the refrigerator for at least sixty minutes — keep the pastries uncovered.

    Preheat the oven to 200°C (375°F).

    Remove the tray from the refrigerator and brush the pastries with the remaining egg white (photo 7).

    Bake them in the oven for twenty to twenty-five minutes or until they turned golden.

    Serve Rustico Leccese right away!

    Rustico Leccese on a cooling rack, about to be served.

    Helpful tips

    • Make sure your puff pastry is soft, not frozen.  It will break apart once you try to unroll it, and it’s still frozen.
    • The white sauce should be cold when you add it on top of the dough.
    • Do not forget to season with salt and pepper, especially if you are using tomato sauce.
    A closer shot at the filling of Rustico Pastry, highlighting the white and tomato sauce.

    Recipe Variation

    • You can use homemade marinara sauce or passata instead of tomato sauce.  I specifically like using marinara sauce because I can control the amount of water in it and the seasoning.

    So what are you waiting for? Give Rustico Leccese a try and let me know what you think in the comment section below!

    Note:  This post was initially published in March 2018. It has now been updated with new images, new video, and more detailed recipe instructions — PLUS Annalisa’s comment below. Grazie! 🙂

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    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for Best Italian Street Food Recipes post.
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    📖 Recipe

    Three pieces of Rustico pastries served with two cups of espresso.

    Rustico Leccese Recipe

    Crunchy pastry with tomato and mozzarella inside — this snack can also be served as an appetizer!  Give ‘Tomato and Mozzarella Pastry (Rustico Leccese)’ a try and it will surely become a staple on your table too!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 350kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Pyrex Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Rectangular Baking Tray
    • Baking Paper

    Ingredients

    • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
    • 1 tbsp butter, unsalted
    • 1 tbsp flour
    • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp milk, hot
    • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
    • 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
    • 1 egg
    • salt and pepper, to season

    Instructions

    Prepare the white sauce:

    • Using a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
    • Add flour and mix for about 2 minutes (do not let it turn brown).
    • Pour hot milk, mix, then bring to a boil.
    • Season with salt and pepper.
    • Cook for about 3 more minutes, then take off the heat and set aside to cool.

    Prepare Rustico (pastry):

    • Cut two sizes of pastries from the dough: one is 15 cm. in diameter, and the other is about 13 to 12 cm.
    • Brush the 15-cm pastry with egg white, then add 2 teaspoons of the cooled white sauce.
    • Add at least 2 teaspoons of tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, and at least 2 teaspoons of grated mozzarella.
    • Use the smaller circle of pastry to cover and seal the sides by pressing with your fingers.
    • Place each covered Rustico pastry in a baking tray lined with baking paper.
    • Place the tray in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes to chill, uncovered.
    • Preheat the oven to 200°C (375°F).
    • Remove the tray from the refrigerator and brush the pastries with the remaining egg white.
    • Place the tray in the oven for 20 to 25 or until they turned golden in color.
    • Serve and enjoy your Rustico Leccese!

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip #1: Make sure your puff pastry is not frozen, or it’s going to crack when you try to unroll it.
    • Cook’s Tip #2: Check that the white sauce is already cold before you start adding it on top of the dough.
    • Cook’s Tip #3: Do not skip the salt and pepper for seasoning the filling of the pastry.
    • Variation #1: Marinara sauce or passata can be used instead of tomato sauce — as an added point, marinara sauce is already properly seasoned.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 376IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours

      March 22, 2018 at 11:18 pm

      5 stars
      These sound like the perfect tasty dish to enjoy with a good glass of wine, so I quite agree with you on that count. So easy to make too. They would be ideal for a mid week supper, served with a side salad.

      Reply
    2. Claudia Lamascolo

      March 23, 2018 at 12:05 am

      My whole Italian family would devour this!

      Reply
    3. Claudia Lamascolo

      March 23, 2018 at 12:09 am

      not sure you got my comment this looks awesome !

      Reply
    4. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife

      March 23, 2018 at 12:19 am

      5 stars
      Looks like a fantastic dish to enjoy with a nice glass of wine! Cheers!

      Reply
    5. Emily

      March 23, 2018 at 12:59 am

      5 stars
      I’m totally drooling over this recipe! We love caprese salad so this would be perfect. YUM!

      Reply
    6. Sara

      March 23, 2018 at 1:03 am

      5 stars
      This looks like a great meal! I love pastry!

      Reply
    7. Jessica Robinson

      March 23, 2018 at 1:53 am

      5 stars
      I bet this would be amazing with some homemade pesto or olive oil and herbs for dipping!! Oh looks so good! Cannot wait to try this yummy recipe!

      Reply
    8. Annalisa

      October 22, 2020 at 12:05 am

      I’m from the province of Lecce in Italy and I thank you profusely for reminding me of some much needed taste of home with this recipe. I would add two teaspoons of each of the ingredients for the filling though. At least in my hometown, we eat them stuffed :))

      Reply
      • Neriz

        October 27, 2020 at 6:36 pm

        Thank you so much for your comment Annalisa. You have a lovely and unforgettable hometown.

        I will redo this post (picture and videos) during this December break, since we’re not going anywhere; and I will do exactly as you said — two teaspoons for the filling! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Jeff C

      October 25, 2020 at 2:52 am

      Lived in Italy for 3 years, every morning I had a rustico with a cappuccino. I miss those days

      Reply
      • Neriz

        October 27, 2020 at 6:38 pm

        Those were the days. 🙂 Thanks for your comment Jeff!

        Reply
    10. Lexi

      April 04, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      I have been looking for this recipe for over a decade (I actually forgot the name of it!) and finally found yours. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Neriz

        April 14, 2023 at 8:49 am

        You are welcome Lexi! 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes

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