The Neapolitan delight the Italians call pizza has made its way around the world, but Italian bakers aren’t the only ones who have come up with the idea of covering a flat piece of dough with something delicious and baking it. Turkey, China, Mexico and Lebanon are just a few countries that have their own native variations on the theme of crust, sauce and toppings.
Turkey
The Turkish pide sounds like pita for a reason: The oval bread on which the delicacy is based is similar to the light, fluffy flatbread popular throughout the world. The difference is in the toppings: Pide comes with finely minced lamb and herbs, beef or cheese. Pide bakers roll the ovals of dough on the sides to form shapes like flattened boats to hold the toppings in place and make the food easier to eat. It’s a popular street food throughout Turkey, but diners can also find this under-appreciated dish anywhere with a large Turkish population.
Another Turkish dish, lahmacun, looks more like a traditional Italian pizza, but the round flatbread has its own distinctive taste. Lahmacun is thinner and crispier than pide, and it’s almost always topped with a mixture of lamb, tomatoes and parsley. Other spices include cumin, paprika and a pinch of cinnamon. Some people eat it by itself, but others prefer it with grilled vegetables or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Lebanon
South of Turkey, manakish takes over from lahmacun and pite from street vendors and bakeries. Sometimes called Lebanese pizza, manakish is as flat as the thinnest pizza and covered with a thin layer of thyme, sumac, oregano and sesame seeds called zaatar. Traditionally, women made the flatbreads with leftover dough as a breakfast dish, but as anyone who’s tasted manakish fresh from the oven can attest, they’re delicious at any hour of the day.
English: Manakeesh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Mexico
Not all pizza-like foods start with the same kind of dough. In Mexico, corn is a staple, and it’s at the heart of the tostada, a Mexican dish that has more than a few traits in common with pizza. Like a pizza, a tostada starts with a crust, or in this case, a corn tortilla crisped in the oven or on a skillet. Favorite toppings change depending on where a tostada is prepared. Near Mexico’s northern border, they have a Tex-Mex flavor with refried beans, spiced ground beef, lettuce and tomatoes. Farther south and along the coasts, popular tostada toppers include shrimp and avocados. One favorite style in Oaxaca, the tlayuda, often includes cabbage, cheese, beef and crisp fried chapulines, or edible grasshoppers.
China
Toppings sometimes wind up in the middle of a pizza-like delicacy. The Chinese cong you bing starts with a flour dough, but instead of spreading toppings on the surface of the flatbread, Chinese cooks fold scallions, chilies and other flavorful delights into the airy dough and bake it crisp. They might appear on a menu as scallion pancakes, but unlike true pancakes made with a batter, these are closer to a pizza dough.
Pizza-like dishes coexist happily with the traditional Italian pie, but each has its own unique flavor. Sampling a scallion pancake or a pite can be a delicious change from the classic tomato and cheese pizza.
FAQs
Pizza was first invented in Naples, Italy as a fast, affordable, tasty meal for working-class Neapolitans on the go. While we all know and love these slices of today, pizza actually didn't gain mass appeal until the 1940s, when immigrating Italians brought their classic slices to the United States.
What foods are similar to pizza? ›
If pizza is one of your favourite weeknight dinners, you'll love these recipes inspired by the Italian doughy dish.
- 1Bruschetta pizza. ...
- 2Pizza damper. ...
- 3Deep-dish Mexican pizza. ...
- 4Ham and pineapple pizza skewers. ...
- 5Fruit 'pizza' ...
- 6Pizza ravioli bites. ...
- 7Tandoori naan pizzas. ...
- 8Pizza pasta bake.
Italy: The Home of Pizza
Each day, approximately 1 million pizzas are consumed in Italy. Pizza here is popular both among locals and tourists who want to try a taste of authentic Italian cuisine. There are around 63,000 pizzerias in Italy, employing about 100,000 pizza makers.
What is the most popular pizza in Italy? ›
Whether in its simple version with mozzarella fiordilatte or mozzarella de bufala (in which case it would technically be called a Bufalina pizza), the Margherita pizza is undoubtedly the favourite pizza of Italian people.
In which country pizza is most eaten? ›
Norway consumes the highest amount of pizza in the world. This is based on the pizza-per-person ratio. A person consumes about 11 lbs of pizza annually in Norway (still way less than I do).
Is Naples the pizza capital of the world? ›
Naples is not only the birthplace of Pizza as we know it today, but remains the world capital of pizza. Pizza Napoletana is a cornerstone of the local cuisine and culture.
What is a Naples pizza called? ›
Neapolitan pizza (Italian: pizza napoletana; Neapolitan: pizza napulitana), also known as Naples-style pizza, is a style of pizza made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
Why is pizza so good in Naples? ›
At the heart of Neapolitan pizza lies an unwavering commitment to top-tier ingredients. The sauce owes its unmatched character to San Marzano tomatoes, nurtured in the volcanic soils of Campania. These tomatoes offer a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle acidity, complementing the dough and toppings with finesse.
What is the Italian dish similar to pizza? ›
Stromboli is like the rolled-up cousin of pizza – its easy to eat with your hands and makes for a great shared appetizer. Plus, one recipe can feed a crowd!
What is pizza without meat called? ›
Vegetarian Pizza
Top these versatile pies with fresh spinach or mushrooms in addition to traditional toppings like cheese and tomato sauce. Some people also include bell peppers, onions, olives and artichoke hearts. The key to an incredible vegetarian pizza is finding the right balance of toppings to crust and cheese.
Flatbread pizza is a thinner and lighter option than traditional pizza, reducing calories and carbohydrates. Opt for whole grain or whole wheat flatbread for added nutrition and fiber.
What is Italy's national dish? ›
Answer and Explanation: The national food of Italy is a pasta dish that is called Ragu alla Bolognese, which is a Bolognese sauce of meat and tomatoes with tagliatelle pasta. The dish is also sometimes just called Bolognese, because the sauce has become so popular that it is often identified as the meal itself.
Which country has tastiest pizza? ›
1. 10 by Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria – Naples, Italy. Still holding the number one position for the last couple of years, it's no surprise that the best pizza on the planet hails from Naples. After all, it is the birthplace of the world's favourite dish.
What is pizza called in Italy? ›
The Italians use a variety of terms to describe their pizza. Crostata and torta are both used to describe savory and sweet pies, and pizza is a singular word that represents only one dish. There are other names for pizza, but these are the most common. There's nothing wrong with being confused.
What is the most ordered pizza in the USA? ›
Pepperoni pizza reigns supreme as the most ordered pizza in the U.S., featuring savory pepperoni slices atop melted cheese and tangy tomato sauce.
What is the number one selling pizza in America? ›
With sales worth approximately 8.57 billion U.S. dollars, Domino's Pizza was the leading quick service pizza chain in the United States in 2022. Pizza Hut and Little Caesars ranked second and third, respectively.
What's the most popular style of pizza? ›
In America, the most popular pizza style hails from the Big Apple. This is because many pizzas enjoyed nationwide owe their basic shape to the New York style. While not as large or thin as traditional New York pizza, pizza from chains such as Little Caesars, Pizza Hut and Domino's are all based on New York slices.
What is the best pizza place ever in the world? ›
50 Top Pizza World 2023: I Masanielli by Francesco Martucci and 10 Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria are the Best Pizzerias in the World. In second place is Una Pizza Napoletana in New York. Third place has gone to Sartoria Panatieri in Barcelona.
