Unusual Pizza Recipes to Try on Holiday

Margherita pizza may be an international classic, but these days Italy’s producing some considerably more inventive recipes. A huge selection of Oliver’s Travels villas boast traditional pizza ovens, so if you’re staying in one of them, get cooking up a storm with these four unusual pizza recipes.

Wild Boar Sausage, Caramelised Shallots and Pepperoncini

This moreish recipe from Nick Mastrascusa makes an ideal holiday dish, as you simply won’t find these ingredients anywhere else. Italian wild boar, or cinghiale, is a true national delicacy unrivalled by British varieties, with the animals’ foraged diet of herbs, nuts, and potatoes creating a unique smoky flavour. The taste varies a lot depending on the age of the boar, with the
meat becoming much tougher with age, so ask before you buy. Wild boar meat is easy to find in Central and Southern Italy, with Umbria particularly famed for the quality of the cinghiale.

Butternut Squash, Red Onion, Cavolo Nero and Dolcelatte Pizza with Walnuts

Of course, we can’t include a list of pizza recipes without shouting out to the lovely Gino D’Acampo – a bit of sweetness, crunch and earthiness, this is a gorgeous addition to our list! Plus, you can just swap the dolcelatte for tomato sauce on the base and it’s perfect for vegans. Cavolo Nero is like the Italian cousin of kale and originates from Tuscany, while Dolcelatte (a soft blue cheese) hails from Lombardy in Northern Italy. 

Lemon, Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil

Tourists passing through Campania’s lemon growing regions will love Robert Caporuscio’s fruity twist on the classic Margherita. Make the most of your surroundings and source only the finest local ingredients to turn this into a luxurious treat. Stay on the Amalfi Coast, an area known for producing the ‘best lemons in the world,’ to be in easy reach of the deliciously succulent fruits available at the Pignasecca fruit and vegetable market. You’ll find locally produced Mozzarella di Bufala Campana in shops throughout nearby Naples, but look for a specific cheese store for real quality. Wine connoisseurs tend to recommend a hearty red with pizza, but we think the zesty tang of this dish goes perfectly with a soft chardonnay.

Italy’s green heartland is blessed with mile upon mile of walnut orchards and pear trees, so this recipe by Olive Magazine showcases the very best vegetarian produce that you can pick up locally when visiting Italy. This topping is crisp, tart and refreshing, and perfect for unwinding after a summer swim at one of our Italian villas with pools. A drizzle of honey/chutney completes this dish, so be sure to pick up a jar if you’re visiting Tuscany this summer.

And if your mouth is left watering and you’ve decided that Italy is your next getaway, why not pair the food and wine with a luxurious stay in one of our Italian Villas. Our concierge team can even help you organise a private chef to come and cook for you in your villa… there’s nothing better than a homemade pizza!