Pepperoni is one of the most universally beloved processed meat products in the world. This versatile, lightly spiced processed pork product is a mainstay of a number of popular dishes, including, of course, the ubiquitous pepperoni pizza. Pizza manufacturers throughout the United States and the world rely on high-quality pepperoni to make delicious, tasty pizza pies that satisfy and satiate their customers.
While many may believe that pepperoni is of Italian origin, it’s actually an entirely American product. Pepperoni boasts an interesting, unique history. The product’s origin story plays a substantial role in its ubiquity on a number of tasty dishes.
Pepperoni history
When Italian immigrants began flowing into the United States in the early 20th century, they began combining Southern European flavor traditions with American ingredients.
The first known mention of pepperoni occurred in 1919, in New York City. At this time, the topping began to appear in a number of Italian delis and pizzerias across Lower Manhattan.
The word “pepperoni” literally translates to “big peppers,” probably because early pepperonis included ingredients like bell peppers.
Pepperoni differs from traditional Italian cured meats in a number of noteworthy ways. Pepperoni possesses a finer grain than most Italian meats, and it is substantially softer than traditional salamis. Additionally, pepperoni is typically made with an artificial casing, whereas Italian meats use a natural gut casing.
Dishes including pepperoni
Pepperoni boasts a distinctive and highly desirable flavor profile—it’s salty, smoky and slightly sweet. Pepperoni is a flavorful addition to a number of dishes. That’s why its popularity exploded in the United States throughout the 20th century. It’s found today in a number of distinctive dishes, including:
- Pepperoni rolls: This West Virginian classic is a distinctly Appalachian take on a pepperoni calzone. Pepperoni rolls are an interesting food item currently enjoyed throughout the South and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
- Cheese boards: Many cheese boards feature pepperoni. It provides a slightly spicy counterbalance to the creaminess of many high-quality cheeses. Pepperoni is a common addition to a number of other party snacks, like antipasto skewers, as well.
- Grilled sandwiches: A number of delis incorporate pepperoni into their hot sandwich offerings. Pepperoni is a high-quality ingredient that can add flavor to paninis, melts and other heated sandwich offerings at delis across the nation.
- Pizza: Of course, the most common use of pepperoni is on pizza. Both thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas often incorporate pepperoni. As Americans continue to consume a large amount of pizza and pepperoni, chefs are finding new ways to spin this classic dish.
Since 1994, Giovanni’s Frozen Pizza has been one of the premier pizza manufacturers in the Northern United States. We are proud to create and distribute high-quality pies that use the finest ingredients, including top-notch, locally sourced pepperoni. Our pizza chefs use a specially formulated crust recipe that allows the quality of our cheese and other ingredients to truly shine. If you’re looking for a delectable, unique frozen pizza to stock in your grocery store or convenience outlet, contact Giovanni’s Frozen Pizza today.