Riccardo Massetti
Restorateur Riccardo Massetti of Creminis
Why we should limit pizza and choose more authentic regional Italian food.
New York is the city of pizza par excellence, but how often do we stop to ask ourselves what we are really eating? The reality is that, especially in big cities, pizza is often made with questionable-quality flour, untraceable ingredients, and methods that prioritize speed over tradition. While pizza is convenient and always available, excessive consumption distances us from the true heart of Italian cuisine: the variety and authenticity of its regional dishes.
Italian regional cuisine is a treasure trove of time-honored recipes, carefully selected raw materials, and deep culinary knowledge. Dishes like Crescia from Marche, Sicilian pasta alla Norma, or Piedmontese Brasato al Barolo require authentic ingredients and a preparation process that cannot be improvised. This means that restaurants offering these specialties must source rigorously traced products, often imported directly from Italy, and entrust them to skilled hands to bring out their best flavors.
A perfect example of this commitment to authenticity is Olive all'Ascolana. This traditional dish from Marche originates in the Ascoli Piceno area, where a unique variety of olive grows—plump and perfectly balanced in flavor. Preparing Olive all'Ascolana is an art that requires time and skill: the olives are pitted by hand, stuffed with a spiced meat filling, breaded, and finally fried to a crispy, golden perfection. This process cannot be industrialized without compromising quality, making it a guarantee of an authentic, high-level product.
Choosing a regional dish means not only enjoying a richer culinary experience but also supporting a high-quality supply chain that respects tradition and ensures transparency. Pizza will always be a beloved symbol, but perhaps it is time to rediscover what Italian cuisine truly has to offer—going beyond the convenience of a quick slice and embracing the complexity and beauty of its incredible regional diversity.