"Margherita" Pizza

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

JUKE

   I looked into this a while ago.  The citations in DARE and the RHHDAS are on the mark.  However, it'd be a nice excuse to visit Florida...

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"MARGHERITA" PIZZA

   Jesse wants to know if I have anything before 1983.  I copied this item years ago, but I couldn't find it again.  You'd just as soon find NUCLEAR SECRETS AT LOS ALAMOS than you'd find my work from a few years ago in my apartment.
   From Naples tourist board semi-official version, HISTORY OF THE PIZZA (Entre Provinciale Per Il Turismo--Napoli, 1956) by Roberto Minervini, pg. 21:

   _HOMAGE TO A QUEEN_
   The nineteenth century marks a second stage in the history of the pizza, as a new element was then introduced in its preparation; this was "mozzarelle," a soft buffalo cheese, which joined the tomato in a new variety, the "Margherita," an addition to the already many varieties.  It was thus called to celebrate a visit to Naples by King Umberto I's consort, Queen Margherita, who used to appreciate our superlative Neopolitan specialty.
   Raffaele Esposito was the inventor of "Margherita."  In 1889 an official of the Royal Establishment went expressly to his restaurant--the famous "pizzeria di Pietro" of which no more need be said, to enquire whether he could go immediately to the Capodimonte Royal Palace (a Royal residence in which, as can be seen, the traditional custom was punctually observed throughout the years), to give his Sovereigns a deomonstration of his exceptional ability.  It is superfluous to say that he felt exceedingly pleased at the honour and went out of his way to do his best on that fortunate occasion: having tasted the various pizzas prepared by the "Maestro," cooked as they were to perfection, exquisitely flavoured, their "cornicioni" (boarders) very thin, the Queen expressed her preference for the pizza garnished with mozzarella (Pg. 22--ed.) and tomato, the personal "creation" of Esposito which from that way was called, as we have said before, the "Margherita."
   The Queen's appreciation found its official expression in the following letter written on a Savoy-crested sheet:
THE HOUSE OF H.M.
INSPECTOR OF COMESTIBLES
Capodimonte, 11th June 1889.
Most Excellent Sig. RAFFAELE ESPOSITO--Naples.
   I confirm that the three varieties of pizza which you prepared for Her Majesty the Queen were found to be excellent.
   I remain,
   Yours faithfully,
Galli Camillo
Head of the Table Services of the Royal Establishment.

Pg. 35:  THE PIZZAS
PIZZA ALLA MARINARA
   Mince a piece of garlic very finely, distribute on _basic pettola_, sprinkle with marjoram and spread over with two table spoonfuls of tomato.
PIZZA "MARGHERITA"
   Instead of garlic and marjoram, garnish with a few thin slices of mozzarella, basil leaves, a tablespoonful of tomato and a small pinch of grated cheese.
PIZZA "QUATTRO STAGIONI"...
PIZZA "COSACCA"...
PIZZA "ROMANA...
(Pg. 36)
PIZZA "FRATTESE"...
PIZZA "PASQUALINO"...
PIZZA "BELLANAPOLI"...
PIZZA AL SEGRETO...
(Pg. 37)
PIZZA WITH MUSHROOMS
PIZZA WITH ANCHOVIES
PIZZA WITH "CECENIELLE"...
PIZZA WITH LARD AND CHEESE
PIZZA PORTA SAN GENNARO