You spin me round...

Who can resist the smell of homemade pizza cooking in the oven, loaded with fresh toppings from the fall harvest, I know that I can't.

Did you know:

There are many theories and speculations about the history of pizza, but there is an agreement that it was developed by peasants in Naples, Italy, therefore people considered it a peasants meal.
In 1889 to honor a visit by King Umberto I and Queen Margherita, Raffaele Esposito created a special pizza, one that resembled the Italian flag. Basil (green), Mozzarella (white), and tomatoes (red) were used in this special pizza and sets the standard for our modern day pizza.
Later in the 19th century, pizza was sold in the streets in Naples at breakfast, lunch and dinner. As pizza became more popular, stalls were set up where the dough was shaped as the customer ordered. Eventually the stalls developed into pizzeria’s, open-air patios which encouraged people to congregate, eat drink, and talk.
In the latter half of the 19th century, pizza migrated to America. A peddler introduced pizza to Chicago by walking up and down Taylor Street with a metal washtub of pizza on his shoulder, crying his ware at two cents a chew.

Some pizza facts:

1905 – Gennaro Lombardi claims to have opened the first United States Ouzzeria in New York City. Lombardo is now known as America’s “Patriaca dela Pizza.”

1943 – Chicago-style deep-dish pizza was created by Ike Sewell at his bar and grill.

1945 – With the stationing of American soldiers in Italy during World War II came a great appreciation of pizza.

1948 – The first commercial pizza pre-mix, “Roma Pizza Mix,” was produced in Worcester, MA by Frank A. Fiorello.

1957 – Frozen pizzas were introduced and found in local grocery stores.

Today pizza is everywhere and you can get it anywhere. I am not sure if it is America’s favorite but it sure is mine. I would take a hot slice with green peppers, onions, mushrooms, black olives, tomatoes and banana pepper rings over a hot dog any day.

Sixty-two percent of Americans prefer meat toppings on their pizza, while 38% prefer vegetarian.
What do you like on your pizza?