In a previous article, I found evidence that Hawaiian Pizza existed since at least 1953, disputing the common myth that a Canadian invented Hawaiian pizza in 1962. I've continued my research and have made a blockbuster of a discovery, one which will shake the entire pizza world. Italians ate pineapple on their pizza back in the 19th century!
Pineapples are thought to have originated in South America, and Spanish explorers eventually brought the pineapple back to Europe, calling it piña. It is then said that the English added "apple" to its name, to connect it to the other delicious fruit they enjoyed. Pineapple became extremely popular throughout Europe, including Italy. Would Italians dare to add pineapple to pizza?
My pizza research led me to delve into some 19th century travelogues, all in Italian, and although I don't speak Italian, I simple searched those books for the word "ananas," which is the Italian term for "pineapple." Once I found some references, I then used online translation tools to decipher the passages that I found. Most of the references were irrelevant to my purposes and I almost stopped my researches, until I stumbled upon a fascinating source.
In La politica da Firenze a Napoli (Politics from Florence to Naples, 1880) by Carlo Collodi, there is a passage which roughly translates as, "As I wandered the narrow streets of Naples, I was tempted by an alluring aroma, which I thought might have been a bakery of sorts.....Within the tiny bakery, I conversed with the owner, Gepetto, who wore a strange yellow wig. He offered me a strange treat, pizza Napoletana, a circular bread topped by tomatoes and cheese and herbs....It was hot and delicious, and the strange combination was very pleasing....The second pizza was something he claimed was new but which had become very popular in the neighborhood. This pizza had thin slices of some type of salami atop it, and small yellow cubes which were unfamiliar to me. I learned these were pieces of pineapple and their sweetness was sheer joy."
My pizza research led me to delve into some 19th century travelogues, all in Italian, and although I don't speak Italian, I simple searched those books for the word "ananas," which is the Italian term for "pineapple." Once I found some references, I then used online translation tools to decipher the passages that I found. Most of the references were irrelevant to my purposes and I almost stopped my researches, until I stumbled upon a fascinating source.
In La politica da Firenze a Napoli (Politics from Florence to Naples, 1880) by Carlo Collodi, there is a passage which roughly translates as, "As I wandered the narrow streets of Naples, I was tempted by an alluring aroma, which I thought might have been a bakery of sorts.....Within the tiny bakery, I conversed with the owner, Gepetto, who wore a strange yellow wig. He offered me a strange treat, pizza Napoletana, a circular bread topped by tomatoes and cheese and herbs....It was hot and delicious, and the strange combination was very pleasing....The second pizza was something he claimed was new but which had become very popular in the neighborhood. This pizza had thin slices of some type of salami atop it, and small yellow cubes which were unfamiliar to me. I learned these were pieces of pineapple and their sweetness was sheer joy."
Pineapple on pizza in 19th century Italy! It shouldn't seem that unusual. Pizza was a relatively new invention at that time and experimentation was probable. Why not add a popular fruit? I'll continue to seek more information about this matter but it will probably change how we view Hawaiian pizza, and maybe remove much of the disdain for it that exists.
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