The Tale of Two Pizzas: Neapolitan and Roman Style

My love for pizza grew exponentially in New York. I knew that when I got to Italy I had to try as much pizza as I could. Pizza was everywhere and was eaten either for a snack by the slice or as a full blown meal. One pie per person!  

Neapolitan Style

Neapolitan style pizza originated in Naples. There is a standard to making these pies. This type of pizza states that the dough is no more than 3 millimeters thick. It is usually rolled by hand and cooked for a minute and a half in a stone oven. The toppings are simple (usually tomatoes and cheese) and the finished product is a personal sized soft pizza with a charred crust. We tried ours with spicy sausage and anchovies and capers.

I tried Neapolitan style pizza at Gustapizza in the Palazzo Pitti neighborhood in Florence. I stumbled upon it after a day at the Boboli Gardens. Trust me when I say real Neapolitan style pizza is far better than the homemade makeshift version using store bought Boboli pizza crust.

A traditional Neapolitan style pizza

"Our duty is to do things like our forefathers once did..."

The funny Gustapizza guys and their love for NY!

The oven

Calabrese: tomato, spicy salami, basil, mozzarella

Roman Style

Roman style pizza sold in Rome is done two ways. The first, made for sit down pizzerias, is the more common type of pizza Americans may be used to. It is round with a thin crust. It is usually shared as it is bigger than a personal sized Neapolitan style pizza. Da Buffeto in Rome is a popular pizzeria. Get there early around six to avoid waiting in the very long line. The bresaola and arugula pizza and pizza with zucchini and squash blossoms is highly recommended.

Da Buffeto

The Line

Zucchini and Squash Blossoms

Bresaola and Arugula

The second way Roman style pizza is done is it is sold by the slice. The slice is weighed and that determines the price. It is then wrapped in paper and the happy recipient can take it to go and eat it in hand. My favorite pizza slice to go was a potato, rosemary, and olive oil variation. No cheese or tomato sauce!

Potato, rosemary, olive oil pizza

Mangia! Mangia!

Gustopizza
Viamaggio 46R
50125 Florence, Italy

Da Buffeto
Via del Governo Vecchio 114
00186 Rome, Italy