When you think of pizza, you think Italian, right? Most people do. But Italy doesn’t hold an exclusive claim to this highly popular dish. In fact, custom pizzas around the world feature local flavors that make every region’s “pie” a unique slice.
Want to try some of these ethnic foods here in the States? Consider creating a custom pizza using one of the following traditions from around the world:
- French pizza: Typically referred to as a tarte flambee, the French enjoy their pizza in a similar style to Americans, but top the dough with caramelized onions, lardons and crème fraiche. The crème fraiche acts as the sauce, offering a sweet, cheesy flavor, quite different from the traditional red sauces in the United States.
- German pizza: The Germans have their own version of the French tarte flambee, called a Flammkuchen. They substitute raw onions for the caramelized ones and use raw bacon instead of lardons. Unless you create your own, you’re not likely to find a custom pizza in the States that resembles the Flammkuchen.
- Spanish pizza: The Spanish use dough that is lighter than the typical Italian pizza. Called coca, this pizza is quite thin. On top of the light dough, the Spanish typically place chorizo (spicy sausage), diced vegetables, olives and anchovies. As with many Spanish dishes, the pizza usually has a peppery flavor.
- Turkish pizza: Mediterranean pizzas are typically earthier and browner than the custom pizzas Americans enjoy. In Turkey, the lahmacun is a pizza-like flatbread that includes ground lamb and tomato flavored with unique spices.
- Lebanese pizza: The pizza of Lebanon is known as manakish. While Americans may have a slice of leftover pepperoni for breakfast, manakish is intentionally a breakfast food. While baking bread in the morning, Lebanese use small portions of the dough to create this dish. Flattened and seasoned with thyme, sumac and sesame seeds, manakish is usually served with cucumbers, tomatoes and mint.
- Japanese pizza: The shape and variety of ingredients are the only similarities you will find between Japanese and American pizza. Okonomiyaki is made with a pancake-like batter used to coat shredded cabbage. This forms the circular base on which the Japanese pile anything from seafood to eggs.
- Korean pizza: American influence can be seen in Korean pizzas, but the toppings here include those created from local foods. This gives Korean pizza its own unique flair. Pizzas are often topped with Japanese horseradish, soybean paste, sweet potato or wasabi.
- Custom pizza: Of course, one of the beauties of pizza is its versatility. What would you like on your pizza? How do you prefer your crust? Anything is possible. Use all forms of ethnic food to create the combination of flavors you most enjoy. People have been doing this around the world for decades, if not centuries. Let your location be the site of the next pizza-style invention!
If you want unique flavors like those experienced around the world, Giovanni’s Frozen Pizza is your go-to source. Our custom pizzas offer the best taste, with the most unique, delicious flavors. Discover what you’ve been missing by contacting our team today.