by Gil V

Created on: March 06, 2009

The origin of Pizza can be traced all the way back to the neolithic age. It is rumored that Ancient Greeks cooked a pizza like food on their shields. They topped the bread with onions and garlic. Since the main ingredient of pizza is bread, it would make the Greeks as the original makers of pizza. Even though this can be disputed by the Italians.

With the invention of the particular flat bread we call pizza is the use of tomato as the main topping. Tomatoes were introduced to Europeans by Americans in the 16th century. Even though most thought the tomato to be poison, as was most fruits of the nightshade family. The poor in the Naples area started topping their bread with it. Thus the pizza was born.

Until about 1830 pizzas were sold from open stands. There are still some stands in the Naples area that sell pizzas. Its not uncommon to get a pizza wrapped in paper and a drink all sold from an open air stand. Antica Pizzeria is considered the areas first pizzeria. Opened up in 1738, the Antica Pizzeria converted to a resturaunt with chairs and tables in 1830. The people of the area take their pizza very seriously.

Pizza made its arrival in the United States in the late nineteenth centrury with the arrival of the Italian Imigrants. Pizza was sold in large cities right on the streets in the neighborhoods. The official first pizzeria opened up in the Manhattan area by Gennaro Lombardi. Even though this information has been disputed. Lombardi opened a grocery store, which he later claimed to be the first pizzeria in the United States.

Modern day pizza has become known for its different flavors. You can buy pizza everywhere from gas staions to frozen pies at supermarkets. They come with different toppings, ranging from pepperoni to macaroni and cheese. It really depends on what area of the country or world that your in at the time you get your pizza.

Even though pizza is regarded as an Italian cuisine, it has been Americanized. We tend to like our pizza with different toppings and sometimes sauceless. So, one might think that the modern version of pizza is a invention by America. Even though it has its origin in the Naples area of Italy.
So the next time your heading out for some great Italian food, remember the flat bread topped with your favorite meats and sauces. While your eating, you can thank the Greeks to the Italians for giving us this great taste we call pizza.

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