The History of The Pizza Pie

Pizza has become North America's favourite food over the past 50 years. Million of pizza pies are eaten daily, but how often do you stop to consider the history within your hands.

Many believe Italians invented the pizza, however its origins go back to the ancient times.Babylonians, Israelites, Egyptians and other ancient Middle Eastern cultures were eating flat bread that had been cooked in mud ovens and topped with olive oil and spice.

AboutPizza.com explains....
"The lower class of the Naples, Italy is believed to have created pizza in a more familiar fashion. In the late 1800s a Italian baker named Raffaele Esposito, was believed to have created a dish for visiting royalty. According to the story, the Italian monarch King Umberto and his consort, Queen Margherita were touring the area. In order to impress them and to show his patriotic fervor Raffaele chose to top flat bread with food that would best represent the colors of Italy: red tomato, white mozzarella cheese and green basil. The king and queen were so impressed that word quickly reached the masses. The end results were that the dish was well received to the extent that others began to copy it."

In 1900's pizza, thanks to Italian immigrants pizza had made it's way in to North America,striving in cities like New York and Chicago due to large Italian populations.

Today pizza has become a common North American cuisine and multi-billion dollar corporation.

HAPPY PIZZA PIE!

Regional food and wine in Italy

Italy is famous for it's boot shape, but what we fail to know is that there are different regions in Italy that are famous for decadent food and wine.  Curious?

The typical Italian food North Americans are accustomed to hails from the central regions of Italy such as the rich tomato sauces and spaghetti, just to name a few. There are a total of 20 regions in Italy, and each of the regions have their own delicacies. Nicolino's would like to help you explore a few.

Northern Italy 

Lombardy

Located in Northern Italy, rice and polenta , butter and lard are more commonly used rather than the traditional Olive Oil we're all accustomed to hearing here in Canada. Cheeses and meat are eaten extensively in this region.

This region being the home of the best restaurants in Italy, it is no wonder that it is home of some of the richest red wines.

Central Italy 

Emilia-Romagna

If you've ever wondered what region of Italy the famous Parmigiano Reggiano was the most popular, this is it. Other foods you may recognize: tortellini, bolognese sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Just like Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna's population are meat lovers, you may recognize the salty meat called proscuitto di Parma. It was created in this region.

Tuscany

Olive oil is produced in Tuscany and, once again, meat dishes. Giant baked bread is this regions pride and joy, they crumble it in a salad combined with tomatoes, onions, and basil.

We notice thus far a pattern of meat loving regions in Italy.

Wines have regions within regions. Tuscany, for instance, specializes in light white wines made near the town of Gimignano

Lazio

Its capital city, Rome, is located on the west coast of central Italy. We know artichokes, fresh and dry pasta, and bruschetta is, and now we know where they come from.

Southern Italy

Campania

We've heard of its capital city, Naples. Did you know that this region is famous for its pizzas and calzones? One of the reasons this region produces the best pizza, it has rich volcanic soil that grows tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and salad greens.

Wine is fascinating in this region, but it's not a tourist's attraction.

Sicily

This region is located just off the toe of Italy and is an island on the Mediterranean sea. Just like Campania, this region has rich volcanic soil but produces blood oranges, almonds, and olives. This region claimed the 'meatball' because there's an abundance of lamb, veal, and rabbit. That's right, rabbit. Pork is also incorporated into this meatball called polpetti.

This and many other regions in Italy have their own specialties in food and wine, discover the love of food with just a click of the mouse.

The country is adorned by beautiful churches, lush greenery, hills, and pretty towns and villages. Grapes, for the production of wine, is grown throughout the country.

We haven't touched on all regions within the northern, central, and southern regions of Italy; however, we felt it was most important to discuss the uniqueness of the Italian foods we consume regularly.

Related links - www.lifeinitaly.com/food