Panciotte: Apulian finger food in a wheat crust
Panciotte by Spirito Contadino are frozen Apulian finger food made from cubes of potato (49%), sweet and smoked bacon (15% total) and fresh rosemary needles (1%), wrapped in a light wheat-flour crust, pre-fried and IQF frozen. Each golden bite is crisp on the outside and soft inside, ready to fry or bake from frozen in just a few minutes. Sold in 1 kg bags of 100-105 pieces and 4 kg cases, they are a fast, high-yield solution for aperitifs, buffets and apericena service.
What Panciotte are
Panciotte belong to the Apulian tradition of fried finger food, where humble field vegetables are minced, seasoned and enclosed in a thin flour batter before frying. Spirito Contadino brings this farmhouse habit into professional catering: the potato and bacon filling is blanched, shaped and coated in a wheat-flour crust, then pre-fried so the kitchen only needs to finish the cooking. The result is a bite-sized snack that keeps the rustic flavour of the Puglia countryside while delivering consistent portions and speed of service.
Origin: the Puglia countryside
These Panciotte come from the plains of Borgo Tressanti, near Cerignola in the province of Foggia, in the heart of Puglia. It is farmland devoted to vegetable growing, where the warm Mediterranean climate and fertile soil shape the raw materials. The potatoes used in the recipe follow the late spring harvest, and the rosemary recalls the aromatic Mediterranean scrub typical of southern Italy.
The producer
Soc. Agr. Spirito Contadino De Palma SAS is an agricultural company that grows and processes its own vegetables for catering and high-end foodservice. The plant in Borgo Tressanti (Cerignola, Foggia) cultivates the fields and turns the harvest into both natural frozen vegetables and battered specialities, all under the IFS Food certification standard. Production relies on IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) cryo-freezing, which freezes every single piece separately right after preparation to preserve freshness, aroma and structure.
Sensory profile
The crust is thin, golden and fragrant, audibly crisp after frying. Inside, the soft potato base carries the savoury, lightly smoky note of the two bacons - sweet and smoked - while the rosemary adds an aromatic, resinous lift. The pieces are uniform and bite-sized, ideal for sharing platters and standing service.
Technical specifications
Frozen pre-fried finger food, IQF method. Wheat crust, potato and bacon filling. Allergens: gluten (wheat) and milk; may contain traces of crustaceans and mustard. Stored at -18 C with a shelf life of 180 days. Net weight per bag 1 kg (100-105 pieces); case of 4 bags = 4 kg. EAN 8032942132114.
Professional kitchen uses
Cook from frozen, without thawing. Deep fryer: 170 C for about 2 minutes, until golden. Air fryer: 180 C for about 6 minutes. Fan oven: 170 C for about 10 minutes; static oven: 200 C for about 11 minutes. Use them as a hot aperitif bite, buffet and catering finger food, starter, apericena snack or kids' menu item. Serve straight away while crisp; allow about 8-12 pieces per portion as a snack.
Pairings
Panciotte pair naturally with cold dipping sauces: mayonnaise, cocktail (pink) sauce, ketchup, mustard sauce or a soft cheese cream. For an Apulian touch, serve alongside other Spirito Contadino wheat-crust specialities (artichokes, courgette flowers, pumpkin tomatoes, mixed vegetables) to build a varied fried platter. A sunflower seed oil is recommended for frying.
Who it is for
A practical choice for restaurants, pizzerias, hotels, bars and cafes, catering and banqueting, aperitif bars, delicatessens and Italian grocery stores, as well as private customers who love authentic Italian snacks. The pre-fried IQF format cuts prep time and waste while keeping portion control precise.
Delivery and logistics
B2B and B2C delivery throughout Switzerland from the LAPA warehouse in Embrach (Zurich). Cold chain at -18 C guaranteed by the LAPA fleet across Zurich, Winterthur, Uster, Aargau, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Zug and Basel. For Ticino (Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno), French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Sion), Valais and mountain regions (Davos, St. Moritz, Chur) delivery within 24-48 hours via certified food-grade couriers (Swiss Post Frigo-Express, Planzer, Galliker, Camion Transport), with isothermal packaging and dry ice to keep the freeze unbroken. Service tailored for restaurants, pizzerias, hotels, catering, delicatessens, Italian grocery stores and private customers passionate about Italian cuisine.
