With the first pie being made in the 1800s in Naples, Italy, pizza has a long history. Since then, chefs worldwide have created their version of this famous dish, bringing something different and tasty to the table. From the crispy pizza Romana to the scrumptious pizza Napoletana, you can find some mouth-watering pizza in Italy!
1) Al Taglio Pizza
The Roman-style pizza al taglio is baked in plates and sold by the slice. You order as in a cheese store, making your choice and telling the waiter the quantity to be cut and pay by weight. Pizza al taglio is baked in an electric oven for 15 minutes, which results in a golden, crisp, and airy crust up to 2.5 cm thick. Long baking time is not always ideal for toppings. Some of the pizza toppings are applied halfway through or after baking to avoid over-baking or unnecessary baking.
2) The Classic: Pizza Napoletana
In Italy, pizza is prepared in a unique way. For the dough of the Napoletana pizza, no fat is used and a large amount of water is poured to make it moist and sticky. The dough is left at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours before it is spread out and baked in a wood-fired oven. Then the pizza is baked at about 450°C for 90 seconds. The result is wonderful, a soft and sticky center, wrapped in a puffy and soft crust or “cornicione”.
3) Pizza Siciliana
Also referred to as sfincione, Sicilian-style pizza has a thick crust and a soft, spongy consistency. It is baked in a rectangular pan, garnished with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, cheese and oregano. For the finishing touch, the pizza is sprinkled with breadcrumbs that help absorb some of the ingredients’ oil. Sfincione is usually served as a snack in bakeries rather than pizzerias.
4) Pizza Romana
This Roman pizza is basically a complete contrast to the Neapolitan pizza. Crispy and flavorful, it consists of various toppings and is loved by many. A classic of all Roman menus is the Capricciosa. This pizza is covered with mushrooms, ham, artichokes, olives, an egg and a tomato.
5) Pizza Capricciosa
Another classic pizza, normally offered in all pizzerias, with varying options, the main ingredients in the pizza capricciosa are tomato, mozzarella, olive oil, mushrooms, Italian ham, artichokes and black olives. There is also another variant of the Pizza Capricciosa in Naples, called “Pizza Capricciosa Bianca”. The same ingredients are used but without tomato sauce. It is ideal for those who have difficulty digesting tomato sauce.
6) Pizza Quattro Formaggi
As its name indicates, quattro formaggi is a type of Italian pizza filled with four kinds of cheese. Traditionally, the types of cheese include mozzarella and three other local ones, varying according to the region, such as Fontina, Gorgonzola, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The pizza can also be optionally enriched by adding basil and tomato. The combined cheese create an interesting and distinctive flavor that is love by cheese lovers worldwide.
7) Pizza Ortolana
If you’re looking for a flavorful vegetarian pizza, Ortolana style pizza is perfect for you! The highlight of this vegetarian pizza is the eggplant. It is sliced and roasted before being placed on the dough to give it more flavor and texture. Other essential vegetables in this pizza include artichoke and red peppers. Chefs usually use mozzarella cheese and a base of tomato sauce mixed with oregano to make a delicious Ortolana.
Tell us which of these different styles of Italian pizza is your favorite in the comments below!
