TOEven pizza has its own World Day, which is celebrated on January 17th. Not only because it is “good” for the palate and is at the very top of the ranking of the most loved and consumed foods all over the world. But if prepared according to Guidelines of the Mediterranean Diet, can hold extraordinary surprises for health. This is the principle from which the project started ‘Pepper in Grains – Mediterranean Pizza’, born from an idea of Master Pizzaiolo Franco Pepe with the aim of making the pizza consistent with the dictates of the Mediterranean food model.
What is World Pizza Day
Monday January 17, 2022 is the fourteenth World Pizza Day. It is a symbolic date for yeast artists, which occurs on the day dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate, who has always been considered the protector of bakers and pizza makers. In the past, the families of these two categories to celebrate ‘their saint’ closed the premises and gathered to light a large fire of thanks. Today the exact opposite happens and a little everywhere there are large and small events in the name of the ‘Neapolitan’, the quintessential symbol of our pizza in the world. And in this we have real masters, like the greatest starred chefs.
Mediterranean pizza is born
In April 2017 Franco Pepe was awarded the prestigious title of Ambassador of the Mediterranean Diet in Pioppi. In February 2018, in his pizzeria in Caiazzo, Pepe meets the Nutritionist Biologist Michelina Petrazzuoli, nutritionist biologist, to whom he tells about the project and asks the question “but can pizza become a dish that reflects the Mediterranean Diet?“. It is at this point that Pepe also involves the Campania Committee of the AIRC Foundation for cancer research to which the funds raised will also be allocated. And the project becomes more and more concrete and active.
Pizza is no longer an exception to the rule
From that moment the awareness arises in him that he can change the experience of pizza for get her out of the idea of ’breaking the rule’ and the desire to change the history of a dish that has always been seen as greedy but far from healthy and proper nutrition. «Since I am Ambassador of the Mediterranean Diet I have proposed to shift the axis from good to healthy. Pizza is the food that represents us in the world and must become a message of proper nutrition ”, explains Pepe.
What does Mediterranean pizza contain
The idea was precisely to make a pizza that boasted a balanced mix of macronutrients and proteins with a caloric intake made up for the 55-60% from carbohydrates, for the 15-20% from proteins and for the 25-30% from fat, In the compliance with the dictates of the Mediterranean Diet.
Thus was born the ‘Mediterranean Pizza’ with a menu of 12 proposals which from 2018 to today remains constantly evolving and which in 2021, thanks to the involvement of the Campania Committee of AIRC, is evaluated with the technical-scientific approach, recognizing 7 pizzas as respectful of the principles of healthy nutrition promoted by the Foundation.
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The innovation of the project lies in the recalculation of macronutrients: to give the right amount of carbohydrates, the classic block of 260/300 grams is reduced to 200 grams, le proteins are increased to remain in the Mediterranean percentages of 15-20%, as in the case of “the rediscovered”, a marinara to which added anchovies to give both proteins and omega 3 fatty acids, the oils are measured to give the right amount of fats and, to ensure omega 3, we useuse of nuts and seeds.
What about the fibers? The small bowl of vegetables apart
The need was to find a way to include the fibers in the right proportion and without losing the nutritional properties of the vegetable. In fact, a vegetable, such as rocket or basil, if placed on a pizza that is too hot or even placed in the oven during cooking, undergoes significant nutritional changes. Thus was born theidea of the extra plate, that is a small bowl of vegetables served separately which serves to complete the meal and which is part of those 5 portions a day of fruit and vegetables that we should all consume to stay healthy.
Support for AIRC cancer research
Throughout 2022, every time one of the 7 pizzas selected by AIRC is chosen from the ‘Mediterranean Pizza’ menu, between 1 and 3 euros will be donated to the Foundation. Furthermore, starting from January, Pepe in Grani will organize a series of specific fundraising events for AIRC inside the restaurant.
«I am very proud of this important collaboration with Franco Pepe, a true excellence of our territory – underlines Roberta Buccino Grimaldi, President of the Campania AIRC Foundation Committee – I want to thank him for the enthusiasm and trust he has shown us. As AIRC we are committed every day to raise awareness among citizens on prevention issues and we know well that the food we consume can affect our health and be a valuable ally if, in addition to eating in a healthy and balanced way, we reduce risk factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. We can all do our part to reduce the risk of getting sick, it is essential to be aware that our behaviors have a direct impact on our health “.
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