Gino Sorbillo, a renowned Naples pizzaiolo, has caused quite a stir in Italy by introducing pineapple pizza to his menu. In a country where food traditions are deeply ingrained, this move has sparked controversy and divided opinions.
The ‘Margherita con Ananas’ is Sorbillo’s creation that features pineapple as a topping. Priced at 7 euros ($7.70), this unique pizza is a departure from the traditional Italian flavors. It is a pizza bianca, devoid of the usual tomato base, and is adorned with three types of cheese, along with twice-cooked pineapple for a caramelized taste.
Sorbillo, a third-generation pizzaiolo, explained that his intention behind introducing this unconventional pizza was to challenge food prejudices. He aimed to debunk the notion that certain ingredients should be shunned simply because they were not part of the traditional Italian culinary repertoire.
By incorporating pineapple into a Neapolitan pizza, Sorbillo sought to demonstrate that disputed ingredients can be delicious when prepared in a tasteful manner. His decision to debut this controversial pizza in Naples, a city steeped in culinary history, was a deliberate statement of culinary defiance.
Despite receiving favorable feedback from those who dared to try it, Sorbillo’s pineapple pizza has ignited a storm of criticism in Italy. The introduction of this unconventional topping has triggered an ‘uproar,’ with social media platforms becoming battlegrounds for heated debates and insults. The contentious pizza has even become a topic of discussion on national television.
While the reception to pineapple pizza in Italy remains polarized, Gino Sorbillo’s bold culinary experiment has undoubtedly sparked a spirited conversation about food, tradition, and culinary innovation in a country known for its strict adherence to gastronomic customs.