Taking a Stand
I don't often get political, and some Brazilians may not be happy with my post, but I need to take a stand on this important issue.
To all pizza enthusiasts and culinary daredevils, gather 'round as I share a tale that unfolded in the enchanting land of Salvador, Brazil, where pizza traditions take an unexpected twist. Hold onto your taste buds, because this story is about to get cheesy, saucy, and, well, a little controversial.
Picture this: a Friday night in Salvador, at our neighborhood social club, and a hungry group of 20 people are ready to dive into the reputedly fantastic pizzas. Little did we know that our gastronomic adventure was about to take a detour into the uncharted territory of Brazilian pizza peculiarities.
The pizzas arrived in all their cheesy glory, promising a taste bud fiesta. But the plot thickened when our friendly waiter revealed his secret weapon – a bowl filled with miniature ketchup and mayo packets. I was confused and so I questioned the purpose of these seemingly innocent condiments. No one was ordering French fries, so I didn’t understand why they were there. The answer hit me like a ton of pizza dough – they were for the pizza!
Now, forgive my pizza purist heart, but I was utterly shocked. Ketchup on pizza? My culinary compass spun out of control. Was this some secret Brazilian pizza code I had missed in my guidebook? Ketchup on pizza is SO wrong! Why would anyone do this?
As I grappled with the saucy situation, my fellow diners wasted no time. They seized those tiny packets like pizza pirates on a condiment quest. Ketchup and mayo flowed like a river, threatening to drown the sanctity of the pizza slice.
In the midst of this sauce-fueled frenzy, I couldn't help but ponder the mysteries of Brazilian pizza craftsmanship. Where was the sacred balance of sauce to cheese and toppings? The expected sauce to toppings ratio wasn’t there. Was it lost in translation, or did the pizza gods have a unique plan for Salvador?
As I observed the mayo and ketchup invaders at our table, a realization struck me – maybe this was a bold rebellion against pizza norms, a revolutionary act challenging the status quo of sauce distribution. Brazil is known for its passionate spirit.
I bravely stood my ground against the saucy revolution, no pizza diplomacy for me. Ketchup and/or mayo on pizza is bizarre and although I am open to trying new things, I chose not to embrace the unexpected and savor the quirks of eating Salvador style pizza. I wasn’t about to dip that slice into the uncharted waters of condiment creativity. I will continue my quest for the perfect pizza, and I guarantee it will NOT involve ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard. I will remain a pizza purist.
Which side of the pizza controversy are you on? Is ketchup on pizza weird or is it a delicious way to eat it?