November 10, 2022 4 min read
American eaters gobble down an average of 100acres of pizza every day (or 350 slicesper second). That’s a lot of za!
No surprise there, as pizza is one of the most popular foods in the USA, as well as worldwide. What you may not realize is the huge difference in popularity between pizza toppings throughout different parts of the globe.
While we play it pretty safe over here, usually sticking to pizza toppings like pepperoni, sausage, or extra cheese, people in Russia get extra creative withmockba pizzas (topped with mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna, and onions). Meanwhile, pickled ginger, minced mutton, and cottage cheese are common toppings in India andmayo jaga (a combination of mayonnaise, potato, and bacon) is huge in Japan.
In the Jones family kitchen, we’re always looking for ways to expand our culinary horizons and trying out unique and unusual pizza toppings is the perfect way to do it. Pizza is safe and familiar, yet endlessly versatile (not unlike pepper jelly).
Below, we’ve collected a list of 7 unique pizza topping combinations that we’ve fallen in love with over the years, some of which can be made even better with the addition of Pepper Jelly dips and spreads. Order a jar today to expand your own culinary horizons!
You probably won’t be able to find any of the following unique pizza toppings the next time you order out for delivery, but that’s okay. Homemade pizza is better anyway. Give these one-of-a-kind topping ideas a shot the next time you’re craving some za.
As far as unusual pizza toppings go, squid might seem especially out there, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Fried calamari rings are a staple of Italian cuisine, just like pizza. Combine the two together and, holy moly, you’re in for a savory treat. The calamari itself adds a subtle sweetness and a chewy texture that goes well with mozzarella, while the crispy fried coating adds an exhilarating crunch. Yum.
Okay, fried calamari doesn’t seem that odd. Let’s turn up the heat andreally think outside the box. You may not think coconut shavings would pair well with cheese and tomato sauce, but they’re actually among the most popular unique pizza toppings in Costa Rica. The juxtaposition of sweet coconut and salty cheese is magical. Even better, add some shrimp, pineapple, and Caribbean Mango Pepper Jelly to give your za a tasty tropical zing!
Who doesn’t love having pizza for breakfast? Instead of settling for cold leftovers, though, why not enjoy a fresh-baked white pie straight from the oven, complete with scrambled or fried eggs, ham, bacon, and shredded hash browns? You can also tear up a couple of buttermilk pancakes and add some fried chicken and honey for a unique Southern twist. Since Pepper Jelly fits perfectly into any breakfast meal, you might want to drizzle some Traditional Pepper Jelly on top. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.
Pickle pizza has exploded in popularity in recent years, but cucumbers aren’t the only garden vegetable that can benefit from taking a long bath in vinegar and dill. Pickled carrots, pickled broccoli, pickled green beans, pickled onions, pickled beets, pickled tomatoes, pickled garlic, and (of course) pickled peppers all boast their own unique flavor profiles, which can be further enhanced by varying your pickling mixes to include different seasonings. Try a mix of two or more of these lip-smackingly delicious pickled goodies as a topping on your next homemade pizza.
Elote, or Mexican Street Corn, is an increasingly popular dish both south of the border and in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Made with creamy mayo, chili powder, and Cotija cheese, it takes corn-on-the-cob to a whole new level. It’s also easily adapted into a pizza topping. Feel like jazzing things up? Swap out the mayo and chili powder in favor of our smoky Southwestern Chipotle Pepper Jelly, just like we suggested in our blog about fall corn recipes.
Of all the strange and unusual pizza toppings on this list, this one tends to get the funniest looks from people whenever we tell them to try it. Once they do, however, they’re convinced! Pizzas topped with green peas are extremely popular in Brazil, often paired with diced carrots and raisins. For the best flavor, fresh peas are better than frozen or canned; the earthy, slightly sweet taste adds an extra dimension to salty, cheesy, tomato-y pizza.
We previously outlined a quick-and-easy recipe for Jalapeno Poppers that anyone can make at home. What’s the only thing tastier than bacon-wrapped homemade Jalapeno Poppers made with Pepper Jelly? Homemade Jalapeno Popper pizza! Top your pie with our Jalapeno Pepper Jelly, some crispy fried bacon, and a few dollops of cream cheese for a sweet, spicy, and savory slice of za you won’t soon forget.
The unique pizza topping combinations described are just some of the ways you can spice up your homemade za. As we’ve already noted, Pepper Jelly is a great addition to Jalapeno Popper pizza, Mexican Street Corn pizza, Coconut pizza, and Breakfast pizza. That said, Pepper Jelly spreads make for some pretty tasty and unique pizza toppings all on their own!
Pepper Jelly pizza combines two of the most popular pizza toppings around, peppers and onions, into a single, flavorful, easy-to-use spread that can be drizzled or spooned on top of a pizza. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for individual slices or even as a base in place of traditional tomato sauce.
Just when you didn’t think pizza could get any better, along comes Pepper Jelly to open your eyes to the endless possibilities. Order a Pepper Jelly variety pack today to discover your new favorite flavor!Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about new pepper jelly flavors, special discounts, and more!