Italian Pizza

The subject of this entry is “Pizza”. I will write about Pizza in terms of its varieties, its historical evolution and its ingredients. Pizza is one of the most known Italian food all over the world. Apart from the pasta, it is really invented in Italy and then, it had become famous in the world. For Italians, it still maintains its importance. In almost every city, the majority of the restaurants are serving pizza.  

Today’s pizza was invented in Naples, at the end of the 19th century upon the queen “Margherita’s” request. First pizza, take its name from the Queen and it is called as “Margeritha”. It was consisting of Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil which are representing the color of the Italian Flag. If we take into consideration the discovering time of the tomato with discovery of America continent in 1492, forming of the Today’s cuisine had taken a lot of time due to the fact that Tomato is one of the most-used ingredients of today’s food.. 

 Antica Pizzeria Brandi - The pizza firstly is invented at this restaurant.

 Antica Pizzeria Brandi- Napoli

Today, besides the “Margeritha” Italian cuisine has various kinds of tasty pizzas, numerous types of pizza can be found in “pizzerias”. According to my impressions, I am dividing pizza into two groups: Italian Pizzas and other pizzas and there is a big difference between two of them. Italian pizza’s dough under the ingredients is very thin, whereas The American pizza is consisting of mostly dough. So real Italian pizza is definitely not heavy and caloric as much as the others.

Some main Italian pizza types and their ingredients are given at below basically:

Pizza Margherita - Tomato-Mozzarella-Basil

Pizza Napoletana - Tomato-Oregano-Garlic

Pizza Romana - Tomato-Mozzarella-Oregano-Anchovies

Pizza Siciliana – Tomato-Mozzarella-Eggplant-Cheese

Pizza Marinara – Capers- Tomato - Oregano-Anchovies

 Typical Margeritha @ Michele - Napoli

Besides the types of pizza, I want to give the prices of some kinds in Italy. For instance, both Margherita and Napoletana cost 3,50 euro; whereas Marinara costs 4 euro. Of course these prices are not valid for the Northern cities of Italy.

On the other hand, the types of pizzas serving by the restaurants can show diversity as well. Some restaurants give some special names to their pizza types. But the types that are given above, generally can be found in Italy’s pizza restaurants. 

Moreover, I want to mention a little bit “closed pizza” called in Italian “Calzone”. It is quite similar to Turkish “lokma” or named in some regions as “Pişi”. “Lokma” is the typical Turkish fried salty dough which is consisting of flour, salt and yeast. Here in Italy, the way of cooking exactly is the same, however they are putting either mozzarella or some vegetables inside of the dough. For sure, both of them are extremely delicious. The cost is relatively less than pizza. In the city in which I live, Salerno, the cost is more and less 1 euro for the “Calzone”. My favorite is the “Calzone” with black pepper. If you come to visit Italy especially South part you have to taste this type.

In addition, besides the types given already, pizza with “prosciutto crudo” or “prosciutto cotto” are the kinds preferred by Italians. Lastly, the American type of Italian Pizza can be found as the pizza with French fries and sausage however I don’t like this kind very much.

As a result, pizza is one of the most tasty food In the world and if you want to try the best one, you should come to Italy especially Napoli and taste the most particular pizza !! 

Italian Cuisine to be continued...