Nic-o-boli

A nic-o-boli is a baked product of Nicola Pizza resembling a cross between a stromboli and a calzone.

Ingredients

The ingredients are similar to a stromboli, but the shape is akin to a calzone. A key distinction between the ingredients of a nic-o-boli versus those of a stromboli are that a nic-o-boli starts with only ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzerella, provolone and parmigiano cheeses, whereas a stromboli will often make use of other Italian meats and cheeses such as prosciutto ham or riccotta cheese. Similar to a calzone, a nic-o-boli is folded in pizza dough and pressed into a semi-circle shape. Additional ingredients can be added such as traditional pizza toppings (mushrooms, pepperoni, peppers, etc.), but it is these rudimentary factors that give a nic-o-boli it's uniqueness among Italian and Italian American dishes in the pizza family.

History

The nic-o-boli concept started with Nicholas Caggiano, the child of Italian immigrants who migrated to Delaware, USA. In 1970, Nicholas and his wife Joan baked and sold pizzas out of the back of their Rehoboth Beach home to help pay for their daughter's medical bills. Friends encouraged them to make a living out of the pizza business, and in 1971, the Caggianos borrowed $5,000 from an uncle and opened Nicola Pizza in Rehoboth Beach. The restaurant seated barely 20 people. Today, the line regularly trails out the door to into the expanded 200 seat capacity dining room.

In 1972, Caggiano began to bake stromboli for employees, however, the dough was rolled into calzone shape for its simplicity, and used pizza ingredients that were easily available. The end product was so successful among employees that by 1973, Caggiano had trademarked his new product and began selling his now-famous nic-o-boli over the counter to customers.

Because of the desirable vacation destination Rehoboth Beach provides for Washingtonians, and the long-standing reputation of Caggiano's creation, the nic-o-boli has attracted the likes of George and Barbara Bush who have had nic-o-bolis shipped to the White House. Shaquille O'Neal and Brett Favre have had their photographs taken at the restaurant enjoying a nic-o-boli following a game. Chelsea Clinton regularly appeared at the restaurant during her high school spring break years. James Brady, Kathie Lee Gifford and Cal Ripken have all been regular customers.

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