Flatbread with Leek Onions

My mother-in-law, originally from Basilicata, always made Flatbread with leek onions. My husband loves it, and I tried to please him by making it myself, and I must admit it turned out delicious. The leek onions are also called spring onions and are onion bulbs harvested before they swell. The name Sponsale comes from Sponsus, the betrothed, and means a promise of marriage.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cost: Cheap
  • Rest time: 12 Hours
  • Preparation time: 45 Minutes
  • Portions: 6 people
  • Cooking methods: Oven
  • Cuisine: Regional Italian

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/8 cups water
  • 1/4 tsp fresh yeast
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tsp sugar (leveled)
  • 2.2 lbs leek onions (cleaned)
  • to taste olive oil
  • 2 tsps sweet paprika
  • 2 pinches fine salt
  • 15 black olives (sun-dried)
  • to taste butter (for greasing the pan)

Preparation

  • Place the flour in a bowl, add the yeast, sugar, and warm water gradually. As it gets absorbed, add a bit more. Continue this way until you have used all the water, now add the salt and knead until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.

    Flour a container, place the ball of dough inside, sprinkle flour on top, cover with plastic wrap, then with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 12 hours.

  • After the time has passed, your dough will have tripled in size. Remove it from the container, place it on a work surface, knead it again, and divide it into two pieces, one larger and the other slightly smaller (wrap them in plastic wrap to prevent drying out).

  • Wash and clean the leek onions, removing the roots and wilted leaves, and cut them into three or four pieces. Cut the bulb part into four parts, the thicker stems, and the larger leaves into two parts.

  • Put some olive oil in a pan, add the leek onions, salt, and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or until they are well dried. The flame must be quite low to prevent coloring and keep them more digestible. Finally, adjust the salt, add the sweet paprika, mix, and let it cool slightly.

  • Roll out the larger piece of dough, forming a circle about 13.5 inches in diameter. Grease a 12-inch diameter baking pan and cover the base and sides with the dough, leaving about 1 inch over the edges.

  • Place the leek onions evenly in the pan and top with pitted olives.

  • Now roll out the smaller piece of dough, forming a circle about 11.5 inches in diameter, place it over the vegetables, tuck the edges inward, and seal well with a fork. Prick the surface to prevent it from puffing up during baking. Brush with olive oil.

  • Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.

  • Enjoy your meal!

Tips/Advice

I usually knead the dough the night before and let it rise until about noon the next day (11-12 hours). Even if we plan to eat the flatbread for dinner, I bake it earlier and then warm it up in the oven.

If you enjoyed the Flatbread with Leek Onions, try the other Lucanian recipes:

Fava Bean and Chicory Puree

Zucchini Cialledda

Zucchini Meatballs

Spaghetti with Green Beans, Tomatoes, and Ricotta Cheese

Asparagus Cialledda

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chiwawa69

Cultivating and sharing your passions, trying a thousand times, and then wrapping it all up in a website. It's not easy, it's a challenge. Happy to learn with you! On my blog Chiwawaincucina, you'll find simple and tasty recipes!

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