Italian pizza maker sparks debate after launching pineapple pizza
Famous pizzaiolo Gino Sorbillo has sparked a significant debate in Italy by introducing a pineapple pizza named "Margherita con Ananas" at his Via dei Tribunali location in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. Priced at 7 euros (Rs. 638), this unique Bianca pizza features three kinds of cheese and caramelized pineapple. Sorbillo, a third-generation pizza chef, crafted this dish to "combat food prejudice," saying, "Sadly people follow the crowd and condition themselves according to other people's views, or what they hear."
Unique preparation and ingredients
This pineapple pizza is not your average Hawaiian pie. The pineapple is baked and cooled before being added to the pizza, along with smoked provola cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil. After cooking in a wood-fired oven, micro shavings of two types of smoked cacioricotta cheese made from Sardinian goat's milk and Cilento buffalo milk are sprinkled on top. Sorbillo believes this blend makes the pizza "really tasty."
Mixed reactions and uproar
Reactions to the pineapple pizza have been mixed, with some Italians voicing their disapproval on social media and national TV. However, Sorbillo claims that those who have tasted it have enjoyed it. Food journalist Barbara Politi said, "It's good, fresh, I'm in favor of it." According to CNN, she also noted that pineapple has been part of Europe's food culture since Christopher Columbus brought it back from Guadeloupe in 1493.
Evolution of pizza toppings
Sorbillo argues that pizza toppings have evolved, with ingredients like a speck from Alto Adige, mortadella, chopped pistachios, powdered olives, and mozzarella foam being used in recent years. He thinks his pizzaiolo ancestors "would be perplexed" by his pineapple creation but adds, "Things should be tasted first, and then you express your view. In the past, not even ham or arugula went on pizzas, now they're normal."
Challenging food prejudices with ketchup pizza
In response to the backlash, Sorbillo has whipped up another controversial pizza using ketchup. He made a sauce with yellow and red Italian datterino tomatoes on a white base with smoked provola cheese. Sorbillo filmed himself eating the ketchup pizza, declaring it "good." He believes that changing one ingredient or preparation step can create an entirely new dish and predicts that pineapple pizza will soon pop up on menus in Naples and beyond.
