One of the joys of travelling in Italy are the gastronomic surprises regularly encountered. Be it grand cuisine or simple street food, ample wonders await.
The first time I saw pizza di patate was on a trip to Rome. I had just arrived and was slightly under the weather from jet lag: I needed a quick snack. I had the help of a knowledgeable local so we strolled over to a neighborhood spot that sells pizza by the slice called a pizza a taglio. Among the slices of margherita and funghi, I noticed a lovely, white-ish golden topping that looked like onions. I love onions but they are not fond of me and are particularly mean-spirited during jet lag. “Cipolle?” I asked. To my surprise, the man answered, “No, patate.” Potatoes on pizza? Of course I had to try it.
On this particular slice the potatoes were grated. I have since enjoyed it with thin circular slices, rosemary and just the perfect amount of olive oil. I don’t know the origins of potato pizza but I have heard murmurs of a Roman heritage.
Along with an Italian beer – my favorites are Peroni or Moretti – I find it a terrific snack to help me get over my jet-lag. Sometimes the most basic food quenches your hunger needs. And, even though it’s a carb booster it tastes great and does the trick.
Enjoy!
Sounds delicious! I didn’t see potato pizza when in Italy nor heard of amongst my relatives from Prosida. Would love a recipe and origins of this!
Thanks!
thanks for your comment kathleen. in fact, potato pizza is very roman so it may be more difficult to find outside the capital city. Another reason for you to come visit us in Rome. In the meantime, stay tuned and we’ll keep you up to date on recipes and more!
That sounds delish! Please take me away from the Virginia snow and transport me to sunny Italy so that I can have a slice of Pizza di Patate!
We’re waiting for you in beautiful Italy for pizza and more!! look forward to seeing you as soon as you can escape from snowy Virginia.
I tried potato pizza in Rome as well and loved it. Thanks for reminding me how delicious it is.
thanks for your comment, fred. glad you loved this pizza as much as we do. come back soon and we’ll have a pizza-fest together.
This pizza sounds and looks delicious! It is wonderful to read about the Italian food experience.
Thank you jenny for the lovely comment. One more reason to come and visit us in Rome at Casa Mia. Hope to meet you one day soon. ciao
It’s such a joy reading Kiki’s experience in Rome!
Thank you, ZC! Stay tuned as Kiki will be posting again soon. . .
Great idea. I will try “patate” pizza next time I travel to Italy. I must admit I had the best pizzas in Napoli. There is something about the tomato sauce Italians use and the pizza dough that makes their pizzas so unique. I don’t know if making the pizza here at home would give it the same “punch”. It is well worth a try to attempt to make pizza here with potatoes. And then again, there are the spices, which I am sure we can’t match! As to the beer, I will definitely try Italian beer. I am into Belgian beer and I don’t associate Italy with beer. But I will definitely give these beers a try here in the US before going to Italy. Excellent suggestions!!!
thank you for your comment grace. you are right, Neapolitan pizza is outstanding (not surprising as it was invented in Naples). There are some great new Italian craft beers that i think you’d like. Casa Mia will be posting more on this trend soon. In the meantime keep an eye out for our upcoming post on pasta, pizza, gelato in the next week or so. So many reasons for you to come and see us in Rome. ciao
Sounds good! The one time I was in Italy I played it very safe with a Margherita. Maybe next time I will be a bit more adventurous!
thank you for your comment and i promise you’ll like it just as much as a margherita (maybe even more!). hope to see you soon in Rome.
You just gave me the perfect excuse to go back to Italy, to try Pizza di Palate!! I would love to try this dish, do you have a good recipe that you could share in the meantime as it might be a few years until I get back to that beautiful country 😉 !!!!!
I love how this great story started by a local recommending you a great place to eat and now we are all benefiting from it !!!
Hi rebeca! this is the Casa Mia administrator answering for our guest blogger, kiki. thank you for your comment and keep posted for an eventual recipe or better yet come to rome and we’ll take you to our favorite neighborhood pizza places. ciao!!
Wow, this sounds absolutely delicious! Might even rival my favourite ‘Hawaiian’ pizza. Will have to search around London to find this though. Thank you for the article!
Hi sami, this is the Casa Mia administrator answering for our guest blogger, Kiki. So glad you liked the post and hope you have success finding potato pizza in london! If not, hop on over to rome (it’s not to far) and we’ll take you for a slice.