Neapolitan twist on pineapple pizza: Three types of smoked cheese, double-baked pineapple, basil, pepper, and no tomato sauce, according to pizza maker Gino Sorbillo. (Photo: Megan Williams/CBC)
In the heart of Italy, where culinary traditions run deep and culinary convictions run deeper, a storm is brewing over a contentious addition to the nation's beloved pizza repertoire. For years, the mere mention of Hawaiian pizza, with its audacious combination of pineapple, bacon, ham, and mozzarella, was enough to send shivers down the spines of purists.
Yet, in a daring move that has ignited a fierce national debate, a bold Neapolitan pizza maker has dared to challenge the status quo, introducing his rendition of the controversial dish. Gino Sorbillo, the innovative mind behind this culinary upheaval, sits poised amidst the rustic charm of his family's pizzeria, a beacon of tradition amidst the clamour of change.
Sorbillo's journey to pineapple pizza enlightenment was one of curiosity and culinary exploration. For months, he tinkered with ingredients and techniques, striving to unlock the potential of this once-reviled fruit atop Italy's most iconic dish. The result? A symphony of flavours, carefully curated and expertly balanced, that challenges preconceived notions and tantalize the taste buds.
But not everyone is convinced of Sorbillo's gastronomic revolution. From the bustling streets of Naples to the quaint corners of traditional pizzerias, voices of dissent ring out, clinging steadfastly to the sanctity of tradition. For them, pineapple on pizza is not just a culinary faux pas but a betrayal of Italy's rich culinary heritage.
Yet, Sorbillo remains undeterred, seeing his pineapple pizza as a gateway to a new era of culinary exploration. With plans to introduce other non-Italian "pizzas of the world," he envisions a future where cultural boundaries blur and gastronomic innovation knows no bounds.
As Italy grapples with this culinary conundrum, one thing is certain: the humble pizza, once a simple peasant's fare, has become a battleground where tradition clashes with innovation, and where the fate of a nation's palate hangs in the balance.
