 History & Origin of Pizza
Though history records pizza as having been originated in Sunny
Naples, Italy, many believe, as we do, that it had its origin on the slopes of
Mt. Vesuvius, a scant 15 miles away.
Some archaeologists believe that the heat generated by 5,000
families busy making pizza was responsible for Mt. Vesuvius blowing its
top in the fi rst place. Nevertheless, this crispy, Neapolitan pie, topped with
luscious red tomatoes, imported cheeses and all sorts of mouthwatering
meats and seafoods, came into being by accident.
Gueseppe Pizzarello, a baker’s assistant in the mountainside town
of Pompeii, returned from the tomato fi elds that abounded on the volcano’s
slopes with a basketful of tomatoes one day. As he entered the bakery where
he worked, his eyes were attracted by a young girl buying a loaf of bread
for supper. She eyed him roguishly, at which point Guiseppe tripped and his
load of tomatoes landed on a large piece of dough that was being readied
for baking. When the owner of the bakery rounded the corner a moment
later, Guiseppe frantically loaded the dough and tomatoes into the oven to
get it out of sight.
With the owner of the bakery, Guiseppe and the girl standing
around exchanging pleasantries, the blending of the dough, tomato and
heat in the oven emitted heavenly odors that led to the discovery of the new
dish.
So the fi rst Pizzarello was born. In 1660, the name was shortened
to pizza, and the cheese was added by an innovator called Pasquale
Mozzarella.
Getting back to the volcano, the hot lava had much to do with the
pizza’s early history. Many Pompeites, before the explosion, would frolic in
the fi eld, often stopping to cook a pizza over the hot lava. This is where the
expression “lava pizza” originated.
In future years all manners of meats were added for variety and
“We” have that original recipe that is the reason why so many people say:
"I Lava Mamma Lucia Pizza” |
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