Margherita

Margherita is a type of pizza originating from Italy. Named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, it is traditionally topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, representing the colors of the Italian flag.

History

The Margherita pizza was first created in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan pizzaiolo, to honor the visit of Queen Margherita of Savoy to Naples. The ingredients were chosen to represent the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil.

Ingredients

The Margherita pizza is made with simple, fresh ingredients: a basic dough, raw tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil. No fancy toppings are needed; the fresh ingredients are enough to make this pizza delicious.

Dough

The dough for a Margherita pizza is made from wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt. It is traditionally hand-kneaded and left to rise for a few hours.

Toppings

The toppings for a Margherita pizza are fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. The tomatoes can be fresh or canned, but they should be of good quality. The mozzarella used is usually Buffalo mozzarella, a type of mozzarella made from the milk of water buffalo. The basil leaves are torn and scattered over the pizza after it is cooked.

Preparation

The dough is rolled out into a thin circle, then the tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil are added. The pizza is then baked in a high-temperature oven, either a traditional wood-fired oven or a modern electric or gas oven. After baking, the fresh basil leaves are added.

Variations

While the traditional Margherita pizza is made with the ingredients listed above, there are many variations. Some pizzaiolos add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of balsamic reduction after the pizza comes out of the oven. Others add additional toppings like garlic, oregano, or prosciutto.

See Also

• Pizza Napoletana
• Pizza in Italy
• History of Pizza