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Are Anchovies Good on Pizza? It's Still Controversial

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Are Anchovies Good on Pizza - Its Still Controversial - Pizza Bien

One thing every person can relate to in the world is their love for pizza. When the question about order comes up, everyone tends to agree on pizza. However, there will always be that one person who picks our odd and exotic toppings for their pizza. 

Today, we're talking all about one of the most controversial pizza topping combinations of all time: anchovy pizza combinations. They sound bizarre since no one likes pickles and pizza together. But is it all that bad or just a false hate-hype like a pineapple pizza?

So, the question remains. Are anchovies good on pizza? It's still controversial. However, they are rich in protein, minerals and creatine just like a steak.

But yes, it indeed can be paired with different topping combinations to make it stand out as a different yet mouthwatering topping. 

Whether you want to try out this controversial topping or to look for points to defend the debate, you're going to love our article. Without any further ado, let's begin.

Are Anchovies Good on Pizza?

Have you ever observed that practically every pizzeria serves anchovies? Every week, they must deliver hundreds of anchovy pizzas. 

The controversy about anchovies in pizza isn't new. The anchovy pizza was born alongside the famous authentic Neapolitan pizza in Naples. On today's date, very few stick with the authentic Neapolitan pizza recipe. If you're craving for original and authentic Neapolitan pizza taste, make sure to order in from Pizza Bien - you'll fall in love with their healthy, veg-alternative pizzas!  

The trend with anchovy pizza started evolving as people experimented with different toppings to mix and match with. Those who do like anchovies go against the trend and serve them with plenty of cheese. 

However, this controversial pizza did not sit up in the pot much. After all, it's just fish. Some people despise fish on their pizza, while others find anchovies revolting. Its saltiness, especially when mixed with the other saltiness in the pizza, turns some people off. 

After trying out, some people find anchovies weird on pizza, while others find it simply a delicious meal substitute!

Some people like trying new toppings, while others stick to the tried-and-true. If you suggest any of these toppings for your next pizza night, you may face some resistance unless everyone loves shellfish.

Anchovies on pizza are excellent, but only if you know where to get and how to cook them. Anchovies, like prosciutto, are cured for a long time to develop their particular salty, fruity, and savory flavor. Regardless of taste, anchovies are a great source of Omega 3 fats.

If you've never tasted anchovy pizza, relax. We'll talk about it more today. We have come to curate this article to explain what anchovy pizza is, how to make it, and which toppings go well.

What Is Anchovy Pizza?

Before we get into what anchovy pizza is, we have to understand what anchovy is. Anchovy is a type of mini sea fish that is found in the Mediterranean Sea. They're generally 4-10 inches long and have acquired the minor rank on the food chain.

Anchovy has a different taste when it comes to describing them. They're filled with an umami flavor and intensify almost anything they're paired with. They smell a bit fishy naturally and are bursting with saltiness. 

They're widely available in the fish market at low prices. Almost anyone can afford them regularly, and they're also good food for pets, bigger fish, and more. 

Since they're widely available in the sea, the people of Naples introduced them on pizza as early as the 16th century. They cultivated and reared the fish since they were environmentally sustainable and easy to breed. 

The original Italian pizza had anchovies in it, which were paired with tomatoes. The tomato helped cut down on the saltiness of this sea-water fish. 

The use of anchovies in the culinary world of America was late, but it did justice to the fish. Anchovies are great as a dressing, rubs, sauces, and more as of recent times. They can elevate your pizza to a great level if you're a fan of salty, umami-tasting things. 

How Does Anchovies Pizza Taste?

Typically, if you ask anyone about their thoughts on anchovies on a pizza, they'll give you a disgusted reaction. The reason for this is their lack of experience with trying the pizza.

No matter what anyone says, we're here to tell you that anchovies on a pizza taste great! Think of it as a combination of garlicky, salty fish with a flatbread blend of tomato and cheese. The combination works perfectly to create a burst of flavors in your mouth. 

The anchovies go through a curing process before they're canned and packaged for cooking. The packaging retains some of the fishiness. But, it quickly disappears when the anchovies are separated for cooking.

The taste of anchovy pizza comes with a salty and fruity feeling. Once you take the first bite, the sodium may hit you like a truck - but you'll get used to the salty taste. The more bites you take, the more you'll love this pizza. 

Nutritional Value of Anchovy Pizza

Nutritional Value of Anchovy Pizza - anchovy pizza combinations - Pizza Bien

Not only do they taste good, but anchovies are healthy for you. They're an excellent source of Omega 3's and protein. On the other hand, one medium slice of anchovies pizza has the following nutritional value:

  • Amount of calories: 201
  • Total Fat: 7.4g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
  • Sodium: 544 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 24g
  • Protein: 9.2g

You'll also find vitamin A, C, and calcium, as well as iron. They're great for your Keto diet if you can modify the crust according to you. However, if you have salt sensitivity, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, you should avoid taking a large quantity of this pizza. 

How To Make The Best Anchovy Pizza?

Use fresh anchovies for the best anchovy pizza. Fresh anchovies, on the other hand, are a rarity. Only in some parts of Europe, namely near the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel, can you get fresh ones.

However, You may use dried anchovies in place of fresh anchovies. The taste of anchovies is unaffected by salt curing in most cases. Choosing the right ingredients to go with the fish's flavor is also a plus.

When creating the anchovy pizza, stay away from strong sauces like béchamel. Anchovies have a strong umami flavor, so serving them with an equally strong sauce might lead to an overly rich dinner. The anchovies would go well with a simple tomato sauce and other simple ingredients. 

You may swap out pizza sauce with sautéed onions and garlic. This will serve as a base for the fish pizza you'll be serving. Ricotta or mozzarella cheeses, in particular, are good on anchovy pizza because of their taste.

Make sure you don't use any salty cheeses like Parmesan. Adding anchovies to salty cheeses might result in a very salty dish. Use something to offset the fish's saltiness if at all possible. The salinity of the seafood should be balanced by something else.

To make an anchovy pizza, you can prepare your regular crust and throw in the toppings. You'll have your desired anchovies pizza in no time!

Anchovy Pizza Combinations: Which Toppings Pair Well With Anchovies? 

There are a few distinct toppings that go amazingly with anchovies. Let's discuss some, so you're particular about the flavor profiles you're using for your anchovy pizza:

  • Calabrian Chiles 
  • This topping may be one of the rarest toppings you've heard about. The flavor consists of juicy, fruity, and a little spicy taste. They were primarily used back in Italy. Now, you can find Calabrian Chiles anywhere, and they work great with balancing the saltiness of anchovies. 

  • Garlic
  • Anchovies already have a flavor that's longing for garlic. When you finally grate some garlic over your pizza or mix it in with the mozzarella, you'll receive a nutty taste. The flavor profile quickly shifts from salty to sweet and nutty in this one. 

  • Tomatoes
  • Tomatoes work with almost anything; they're like the tofu of the pizza world. Those who don't have a big idea about how anchovy pizza may taste can pair it with tomato to get good clarity. 

    Tomatoes are great to pair with anchovies since they're soft, aromatic and possess a sweet and sour flavor. The saltiness of the anchovies quickly dries down to produce one of the best pizza topping combinations you've ever tried. 

  • Pineapple:
  • The pineapple anchovy pizza combination is undoubtedly one of the best. Pineapple has a sweet acidity that engulfs the saltiness of the anchovies. It also eliminates the fishy smell for those who don't like it. It's a must-try topping for the anchovy pizza lover out there, 

  • Sausage 
  • If you're a meat lover, you can pair fish and meat. It may sound off at first, but you won't regret ordering the topping combination. Hence, try putting some sausage on your next anchovy pizza order. The fat from the sausage will make your pie taste like a luxurious, high-end pizza. 

    Conclusion:

    Although anchovy pizza may remain a controversial debate in the pizza world, one pizza that's evergreen is a classic Neapolitan. You can choose to order yours from Pizza Bien for an authentic Italian pizza taste and customize it to your liking. 

    The pizzas are intricately made to suit well with every topping combination. In your next frozen pizza order, you can choose to add some anchovies to your pizza before you decide to bake it! 

    Therefore, we hope you've come to know about everything related to anchovy pizza. Till the next time, happy feasting!

    Our delicious pizzas are handcrafted with all-natural freshness of high quality ingredients (nothing pre-made or processed) in Italy. Get these pizzas shipped to your doorstep. Free Shipping to most locations. Click Here to Buy Now!

     

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