Ep 3. Italian Street Food

In season 1 episode 3 of Kitchen Boss, titled "Italian Street Food," chef and host Buddy Valastro takes viewers on a savory journey through the streets of Italy to explore the country's diverse street food culture. From the bustling markets of Palermo to the intimate alleyways of Naples, Buddy showcases the vibrant culinary scene found in Italy's most iconic cities.

The episode begins with a brief history of Italian street food, tracing its evolution from ancient Roman times to the present day. Buddy explains how street food has long been a crucial part of Italian culture, providing a quick and inexpensive way for people to enjoy delicious meals on the go.

From there, Buddy dives into the first dish of the episode: arancini. These fried rice balls are a Sicilian specialty, and Buddy shows viewers how to make them from scratch using Arborio rice, mozzarella cheese, and a deliciously spicy tomato sauce.

Next up is Palermo's famous panelle sandwich, which features crispy chickpea fritters stuffed between two slices of sesame bread. Buddy demonstrates how to make the fritters, which are seasoned with parsley, garlic, and lemon juice, and shares a few tips for achieving the perfect golden-brown crust.

After that, Buddy takes viewers to Naples to try the city's signature street food: pizza fritta. This deep-fried pizza is filled with a variety of ingredients, from cheese and tomato sauce to the more exotic offerings found in Naples, such as smoked provola cheese and escarole. Buddy shows viewers how to make his own version of the dish, which he stuffs with sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese.

Following the pizza fritta, Buddy heads back to Palermo to sample another Sicilian favorite: sfincione. This thick, fluffy pizza is topped with a layer of tomato sauce, onions, and breadcrumbs, and is often sold by street vendors in Palermo's lively markets. Buddy shares his recipe for the dish and shows viewers how to prepare the dough, which features a mix of flour, semolina, and olive oil.

Finally, the episode ends with Buddy's take on the classic Neapolitan dessert, zeppole. These fried dough balls are traditionally filled with sweet ricotta cream or pastry cream and dusted with powdered sugar. Buddy puts a twist on the recipe by adding a chocolate-hazelnut filling and drizzling the finished product with warm caramel sauce.

Throughout the episode, Buddy offers helpful tips and tricks for viewers looking to recreate these dishes at home. He shares insights on everything from frying techniques to seasoning choices, and peppers the show with fun anecdotes about his own experiences eating street food in Italy.

Overall, "Italian Street Food" is a mouth-watering tribute to the vibrant culinary culture found throughout Italy's bustling urban centers. From savory fried rice balls to sweet, indulgent pastries, Buddy Valastro's creations are sure to satisfy even the most discerning street food lovers.