Our nation presents on its territory many typical products that are recognized all over the world for their excellent qualities. One of these excellences is definitely pizza. It is on the day of Sant’Antonio Abate – 17 January – that the World Pizza Day, the world feast of pizza celebrated precisely on the occasion of the patron saint of animals, bakers and pizza makers. Some also call it the day of the “true Italian square” just to underline how important “the traditional art of the Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo”, recognized in fact by UNESCO intangible heritage of humanity in 2017.
A nice way to honor one of the most loved dishes in the world, always and forever among the favorites of Italians: recent data speak in fact of 8 million pizzas baked daily throughout the Peninsula, for a total of almost 3 billion in a year and a turnover of 15 billion. An economic movement that surpasses in all the 30 billion, according to reports from the CNA agri-food survey. The favorite? She’s always the round one. Italian Traditions takes you to the discovery of this particular event that symbolizes the importance of this typical Italian product all over the planet.
The origin of the pizza
Its origin is uncertain even if some historical testimonies tell of the presence in the sixteenth century in Naples of a crushed bread called pizza. This term is a distortion of the Greek word pitta which is the bread typical of this population. In the Neapolitan pizza is a long-established tradition and is appreciated by both the poorest population and the nobles. Until 1700 it is prepared white, followed by the addition of tomato.
Pizza trends according to the artisans
Many of the pizza makers involved have chosen to celebrate the pizza with a special proposal. Cristian Marasco de La Grotta Azzurra, for example, chose an evolutionary fried pizza, the Pizza with the Meat Sauce of Nonna Nunzia, the result of a double cooking first in boiling oil and then in the oven at 300 º C to give the crunch effect. Rizzo, on the other hand, is dedicated to vegan options, “we thought of an entirely green pizza”, to meet the needs of everyone and also for those looking for a lighter proposal, “but never give up on fried food!”. Attention to seasonality remains, now it’s time for Sweet Orange, “with puntarelle, pumpkin and roasted onions, sweet potato cream, garlic cream, smoked paprika and extra virgin olive oil”.
The consumption habits of Italians
In any case, pizza brings happiness. Almost 9 out of 10 Italians eat it at least once a week and consumption can reach up to 2 times for 40% of the public, especially when it comes to people aged between 18 and 24 years. Not only that: the survey also highlights a change of mentality among consumers, who no longer perceive pizza as a food to be enjoyed rarely because of calories, rather as a comfort food to be shared in company.
The most popular traditional Italian pizzas
The Italian pizzas or better, the real Italian pizzas of our tradition, are stuffed with top quality ingredients. We can vary from pizza Napoli (UNESCO World Heritage), up to the pizza Quattro Stagioni, in this article dedicated to traditional pizzas more famous, you will find a list of the names of pizzas more known and eaten in Italy and beyond.
Surely the two classic Italian pizzas known all over the world are the Neapolitan pizza and the pizza margherita.
The famous Neapolitan pizza is forged by the meeting of different ingredients, where extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh tomato and the inevitable mozzarella, make justice to the pizza probably most loved by Italians. Protected by a certification of Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (STG). The dough consists of wheat flour, yeast, salt and water and is left to rise for up to 24 hours. It is modeled by hand in a flat and round disc, about 3 mm thick. After that, it is garnished with the ingredients and cooked for 90 seconds in a hot wood oven (about 900 % F). The result is a soft and elastic heart with a high and soft crust.
- The second pizza widely known and appreciated not only in our country, is the pizza margherita. Actually there are different combinations of ingredients, flavors and aromas of Italian pizzas, if you want to know other classic pizzas, continue reading this article, we will list those that are for us the most famous and appreciated traditional Italian pizzas.
The most popular and appreciated types of pizza in Italy and in the world
Since its humble origins, pizza has undergone many transformations to become the dish that so many people know and love. It is your point of reference when you need an easy meal at home or for an office event. But don’t forget that a good pizza can be elevated to gourmet cuisine with the right combination of crust, sauce, cheese, condiments. Here are the most popular types of pizza and dining options from around the country.
- Pizza Capricciosa: Its recipe is based on tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, ham, olives and artichokes: it is undoubtedly the richest pizza ever made, able to satisfy even the most demanding palate!
- Pizza Marinara: marinara is a Neapolitan pizza topped with tomatoes, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and sometimes fresh basil. Its name does not come from the popular belief that it contains seafood (because it does not have it), but because it was a staple food of fishermen who consumed it on their return from fishing in the Gulf of Naples. Some claim that it was invented at Pizzeria Port’Alba in 1734, considered the oldest pizzeria in the world. Marinara is one of the protected Neapolitan pizzas, with specific rules regarding the production process, the dough and the key ingredients used in the construction of the pizza.
- Pizza alla Diavola : this pizza with a strong character is perfect for the most courageous palates! Based on very spicy ingredients, which must literally burn in the mouth, it has a lively and decided flavor. The basic ingredients are chili and pepperoni, which make this traditional classic recipe a simple dish for lovers of spicy tastes.
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