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Pizza, pizza, pizza
I am a pizza! Caio! I came to this country from humble beginnings, not sure exactly where or when. But, I know I am Italian by birth, somewhere in the south, maybe Naples or Rome. I’m a simple dish made from flour, tomatoes, and cheese; yes, I have evolved and morphed into something entirely different.
Many other countries claim I am theirs; that’s because they all have flatbread with some cheese and tomatoes. I’ll tell you what I wasn’t born with: pepperoni, pineapple, and other toppings. No pepperoni in Italy; it’s soppressata, an Italian sausage.
Gennaro Lombardi was the first Italian to introduce me to America. I grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 23 1/2 Spring Street in Little Italy, a block away from Mulberry Street. I’m still here after 120 years. He took his recipe from Naples, Italy. Although pizza varies from Italian province to Italian province, I’m still basically the same.
Roman makes oval pizza, Naples’s pizza is round, and Sicilian pizza is square. Now we have thin-crust and deep-dish pizza. New York pizza is different from Italy; in New York, you walk down the street with the pizza folded and olive oil dripping down your arm. The only toppings I’m okay with are anchovies, olives, oregano, and red pepper. I don’t need much; fresh basil is nice to make a Margarita pizza. This pizza displays the color of the Italian flag, red, green, and white.
I really think I am the most popular food in the United States. Lots of countries take credit for me. I was called focaccia, just a flatbread, 2000 years ago. I have seen many things in my life. Did I ever tell you the time I first witnessed wine being discovered? I mean, what goes better with pizza than red wine.
So, I’m lying around just cooling off after just coming out of the oven, waiting to be devoured. All of a sudden, these Romans start throwing all these discarded pieces of fruit, mostly grapes, into a huge terra cotta vat in the corner. After a few days, it began to stink! It smelled like rotten eggs, which I learned was H2S, Hydrogen Sulfide. Whatever gave the Roman Centurian the idea to drink it? I thought for sure he would get sick and vomit. Instead, he suddenly turns to address the Roman Senate and says, “It needs more time.” Two weeks later, the rotting fruit turned into my favorite beverage – wine.
The same was true for cheese years ago; you encourage this mold to grow. The mold is yeast and is cultured into cheese. Many kinds of cheese really stink, so my question always was, “How do you know when cheese is bad?” You can just cut the mold off and eat the rest. I prefer “muzzarella,” aka mozzarella, made from Italian buffalo. The fresher, the better. Yes, I know “muzz” is hard to melt; that’s why the oven is over 1000 degrees.
I love when olive oil is drizzled over me; it tickles! The olive oil simmers, the cheese melts, and the tomatoes are cooked. Boy, do I smell good! I don’t even feel the pizza cutter slice through me. I am a pizza! I am round, square, and oval. Any way they make me; I am a pizza! Bon Appetite!
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10 Replies
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If I was a pizza, here’s a fun and imaginative take on how I might feel, behave, and act:
Feelings
- Warm and Comforting: I’d feel warm and cozy, like a freshly baked pizza right out of the oven, bringing comfort and joy to those around me.
- Cheerful and Content: As a pizza, I’d likely feel happy and satisfied, knowing I am loved by many and often the highlight of gatherings and celebrations.
- Versatile and Creative: With so many topping options and styles, I’d feel versatile and proud of my ability to adapt and cater to different tastes and preferences.
Behavior
- Welcoming and Inclusive: I’d behave in a friendly and inclusive manner, welcoming everyone to enjoy a slice regardless of their preferences—whether they love classic pepperoni or adventurous combinations.
- Dependable and Reliable: Just like a pizza is often a go-to comfort food, I’d be dependable, always ready to bring happiness and satisfy hunger.
- Playful and Fun: As a pizza, I’d have a playful personality, enjoying the fun toppings and the joy I bring to parties and movie nights.
Actions
- Bringing People Together: You’d act as a unifier, bringing friends and family together around the table to share a meal and create lasting memories.
- Adapting to Situations: Whether it’s a casual lunch, a late-night snack, or a formal dinner, I’d adapt to various situations effortlessly, fitting into any occasion.
- Offering Variety: I’d constantly offer variety and excitement, switching up my toppings and styles to keep things interesting and appealing to everyone.
Imagining the Day-to-Day Life of a Pizza
- Morning: I’d start your day with a sense of anticipation, knowing that soon I’ll be prepared and baked to perfection.
- Afternoon: I’d spend the afternoon cooling down a bit, maybe being reheated for a delicious lunch.
- Evening: As evening approaches, I’d be the star of the show, eagerly waiting to be sliced and shared among friends and family, bringing smiles and satisfaction.
Social Interactions
- Friendly Competition: I’d have friendly rivalries with other popular foods like burgers and tacos, each boasting about how you bring joy to different types of gatherings.
- Collaboration: Sometimes, I’d collaborate with other foods, like garlic bread or wings, to create the perfect meal experience.
Personality Traits
- Cheesy: In both the literal and figurative sense, I’d have a cheesy personality, always ready with a cheesy joke or pun to lighten the mood.
- Crusty but Soft-Hearted: You’d have a tough exterior (crust) but a soft and warm heart (the delicious toppings and cheese).
Final Thoughts
Being a pizza means being a beloved staple in many people’s lives, bringing warmth, joy, and a sense of togetherness. I’d revel in your ability to adapt to various tastes and occasions, always being a dependable source of comfort and delight.
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You said it well, and thank you for your kind words.
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Pizza, pizza,pizza
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I like pizza 😀😀
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Love Lou Manitis deep dish pizza.
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There have been many debates on best pizza and where it comes from. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, everyone has their favorite type and place. My favorite is the Old Forge , PA area rightly named “pizza capital of the world.” I’m not kidding look it up! Being from PA my favorite is Sabatini , Exeter, PA.
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Same with hot dogs. Never had New York pizza or hot dogs. Heard it is delicious. Lou Manitis Chicago Deep Dish is the best deep dish Pizza I had.
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Looks great 👍
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New York Pizza looks delicious 😋