What does panzerotto mean?
A panzerotto is a small, round, deep-fried Italian pastry made from dough and filled with ingredients such as mozzarella, tomato, ricotta, spinach, or meat. Its name comes from Italian, where it is the singular form and panzerotti is the usual plural. The pastry is softer and more bread-like than a sweet doughnut, and its filling makes it suitable as a snack, appetizer, or light meal. Panzerotti are common in Italian cuisine and in Italian-style bakeries and restaurants, with fillings varying by region and establishment. Although the word is borrowed directly from Italian and is used in English menus and recipes, it has not fully replaced more general terms such as stuffed or fried dough pastry.
nounA small, round, deep-fried Italian dough pastry filled with cheese, tomato, meat, or another savory filling. Panzerotti are typically eaten as snacks or light meals.
- A small, round, deep-fried Italian dough pastry filled with cheese, tomato, meat, or other ingredients.
"We ordered a plate of hot panzerotti filled with mozzarella and tomato."
"The bakery sells panzerotti with spinach and ricotta."
"She grabbed a warm cheese panzerotto for lunch."
The regular plural is panzerotti, formed by adding -i.
"The restaurant serves panzerotti with cheese and tomato."
A panzerotto is a small Italian deep-fried pastry whose name evokes its shape: the Italian word is related to “belly” and suggests a plump, filled center.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does panzerotto come from?
The word comes from Italian panzerotto, the diminutive of panzerone, a term associated with a large or rounded belly. The underlying Italian panza means “belly,” and the diminutive form refers to a small filled or bulging food. English borrowed the term as panzerotto, with panzerotti serving as the regular plural.
How panzerotto is actually used
The singular is panzerotto and the usual plural is panzerotti. The word is normally used for the Italian filled pastry; although it resembles a doughnut, it is generally savory and is not ordinarily counted among doughnuts in culinary classifications.
Easily confused with panzerotto
A panzerotto is the singular form of the pastry, while panzerotti is the usual plural used for multiple pieces.