Pizza Margherita
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| Pizza Margherita | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pizza Margherita |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Campania |
| Creator | Raffaele Esposito |
| Year | 1889 |
Pizza Margherita is a classic Neapolitan pizza that originated in Naples, Italy, and is named after Margherita of Savoy, the Queen of Italy. This iconic dish is typically topped with San Marzano tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, and fresh Basil, which resemble the colors of the Italian flag. The creation of Pizza Margherita is often attributed to Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan baker, who made it for Margherita of Savoy during her visit to Naples in 1889, accompanied by King Umberto I and Prime Minister Agostino Depretis. The dish was served at Brandi, a famous Neapolitan restaurant, which is still open today, and has been visited by many notable figures, including Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti.
Introduction
Pizza Margherita is a beloved dish around the world, and its popularity can be attributed to its simple yet flavorful ingredients, which are deeply rooted in Italian cuisine and Mediterranean diet. The dish is often associated with Italian culture and is frequently served at Italian restaurants, such as Bella Italia and Carrabba's Italian Grill, which have locations in United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Pizza Margherita has also been featured in various food festivals, including the Naples Pizza Festival and the New York City Food Festival, which are attended by celebrity chefs, such as Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. The dish has been praised by many food critics, including Sam Sifton and Frank Bruni, who have written for The New York Times and The New Yorker.
History
The history of Pizza Margherita dates back to 1889, when Raffaele Esposito created the dish for Margherita of Savoy during her visit to Naples, which was a major event in the city, attended by King Umberto I and Prime Minister Agostino Depretis. The dish was named after the queen, and its colors were inspired by the Italian flag, which was designed by Alessandro Martucci and Giovanni Battista Pera. Over time, Pizza Margherita has become a staple of Neapolitan cuisine and is often served at traditional Neapolitan restaurants, such as Di Matteo and Pizzeria Brandi, which have been visited by many notable figures, including Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti. The dish has also been influenced by other Italian cuisines, such as Sicilian cuisine and Tuscan cuisine, which have been shaped by Italian immigration to United States and Argentina.
Ingredients
The ingredients used to make Pizza Margherita are simple yet flavorful, and include San Marzano tomatoes, which are grown in the Campania region and are known for their sweet-tart flavor, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, which is made from the milk of water buffalo and is produced in the Campania region, and fresh Basil, which is grown in the Campania region and is known for its sweet flavor. The crust is typically made from Type "00" flour, which is a type of Italian flour that is known for its fine texture, water, salt, and yeast, which is used to ferment the dough. The dish is often cooked in a wood-fired oven, which is a traditional Neapolitan cooking method, and is used by many Neapolitan pizzerias, including Pizzeria Brandi and Di Matteo.
Preparation
The preparation of Pizza Margherita is a traditional Neapolitan process that involves several steps, including making the dough, which is typically made from Type "00" flour, water, salt, and yeast, and is allowed to ferment for several hours, shaping the dough into a circle, which is typically done by hand, and topping the dough with San Marzano tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, and fresh Basil. The dish is then cooked in a wood-fired oven for several minutes, which gives the crust a crispy texture and a smoky flavor. The dish is often served immediately after cooking, and is typically garnished with fresh Basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, which is produced in the Tuscan region.
Cultural Significance
Pizza Margherita has significant cultural importance in Italy and around the world, and is often seen as a symbol of Italian cuisine and Italian culture. The dish is frequently served at Italian restaurants and Italian festivals, such as the Naples Pizza Festival and the Italian Festival in New York City, which are attended by many Italian-American communities, including the Italian-American community in Little Italy, Manhattan. The dish has also been featured in various films and television shows, including Eat Pray Love and The Sopranos, which have been produced by Universal Pictures and HBO. Pizza Margherita has been praised by many celebrity chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, who have written for The New York Times and The New Yorker.
Variations
While traditional Pizza Margherita is a simple dish, there are many variations that have been created over the years, including Quattro Formaggi, which is a type of Italian pizza that is topped with four different types of cheese, Prosciutto e Funghi, which is a type of Italian pizza that is topped with prosciutto and mushrooms, and Capricciosa, which is a type of Italian pizza that is topped with ham, mushrooms, and artichokes. These variations are often served at Italian restaurants and pizzerias, including Pizzeria Brandi and Di Matteo, which have been visited by many notable figures, including Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti. The dish has also been influenced by other cuisines, such as Greek cuisine and Turkish cuisine, which have been shaped by Mediterranean trade and Ottoman Empire.