Vico Equense: the home of the pizza by the meter tradition in Naples

Vico Equense, a charming town located on the Sorrento Coast, is much more than just a tourist destination. This location is the home of one of the most loved and celebrated gastronomic traditions: pizza by the meter. With a history that has its roots in the heart of Neapolitan culture, Vico Equense is not only a place where you can taste one of the most iconic variations of pizza, but it is also a pulsating center of innovation and tradition. Pizza by the meter is not simply a dish; it represents a way of life, a moment of sharing and conviviality that unites families, friends and visitors in a unique gastronomic experience.

In our article, we will explore ten fascinating aspects of Vico Equense and its pizza by the meter tradition. We will start with the history of this location, which has seen the evolution of pizza and its preparation techniques over the centuries. We will discover the origins of pizza by the meter, an invention that revolutionized the way of conceiving pizza, making it not only a meal but also a shared experience. The historic pizzerias of Vico Equense, custodians of traditional recipes, will be the protagonists of our narrative, as will the typical ingredients that make it so special.

Furthermore, we will focus on the events and festivals that celebrate this delight, on the influence of pizza by the meter on the global gastronomic panorama and on the culinary experiences that Vico Equense offers to its visitors. Finally, we will provide useful advice for those who wish to visit this gem of the Sorrento Coast, to savor not only the pizza, but also the culture and beauty of a place steeped in history and culinary passion. Get ready to discover a world where every bite tells a story and every visit becomes an indelible memory.

History of Vico Equense

Ancient origins and legends

Vico Equense is a picturesque town located on the Sorrento coast, in the province of Naples. Its origins date back to Roman times, when it was known as Aequaensium. The city has a long history that is intertwined with legends and myths, including that of Aeneas, who according to tradition founded the city during his journey to Italy.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

Over the centuries, Vico Equense has undergone various dominations and has experienced periods of prosperity and decline. During the Middle Ages, the city was the scene of clashes between powerful local families and was involved in the fights between the maritime cities of Campania. In the Renaissance, Vico Equense experienced a period of great cultural and economic development, with the construction of important buildings and works of art.

Modern and contemporary era

Over the following centuries, Vico Equense continued to grow and develop, becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Today the city is known for its scenic beauty, its beaches and its gastronomic traditions. Vico Equense is also famous for being the homeland of some illustrious people, including the writer Torquato Tasso.

The history of Vico Equense is full of charm and mystery, and every corner of the city tells a different story. Visiting Vico Equense means immersing yourself in a unique atmosphere, made up of history, art and tradition.

Origins of pizza by the meter

Pizza by the meter is one of the best known and loved specialties of the Neapolitan culinary tradition. The origins of this type of pizza date back to the post-war period, when pizza makers began to prepare larger pizzas to satisfy the numerous families who frequented the pizzerias.

Pizza by the meter stands out for its rectangular shape and for being served in portions cut into long, thin slices, which are sold by the metre. This way of serving pizza was ideal for festive occasions and for sharing food in company.

Pizza by the meter is traditionally topped with simple ingredients such as tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil, but over the years numerous variations have been created with different toppings to satisfy all tastes. It is a light and crunchy pizza, thanks to the long leavening of the dough and cooking in a wood oven.

The tradition of pizza by the meter has been handed down from generation to generation, becoming a symbol of Neapolitan gastronomic culture. Today, pizza by the meter is appreciated all over the world and many Italian and international restaurants offer this delicacy to their customers.

Evolution of the pizza making tradition

The Italian pizza tradition has ancient roots and has its origins in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Pizza, as we know it today, has undergone several transformations over the centuries, evolving from a simple peasant dish to an icon of Italian gastronomy loved throughout the world.

One of the crucial moments in the evolution of the pizza tradition was certainly the invention of the margherita pizza in 1889. Legend has it that the pizza chef Raffaele Esposito created this dish to pay homage to Queen Margherita of Savoy during her visit to Naples, using the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil). From that moment, the margherita pizza became one of the symbols of Italian cuisine and a dish loved throughout the world.

Over the years, the pizza tradition has been enriched with new variations and preparation techniques. Each Italian region has its traditional version of pizza, with ingredients and toppings typical of the area. Neapolitan pizza, for example, is characterized by the use of San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella from Campania DOP and fresh basil. Other regions, such as Sicily, offer pizzas with ingredients such as sardines, aubergines and pecorino.

The Italian pizza making tradition was recognized in 2017 by UNESCO as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity, confirming the central role that pizza has in Italian culture and culinary tradition. Today, pizza is a universal dish, loved and appreciated all over the world, with thousands of pizzerias offering their own versions and interpretations of the original recipe.

The historic pizzerias of Vico Equense

Pizzeria da Franco

One of the historic pizzerias in Vico Equense is certainly the Pizzeria da Franco, located in the heart of the historic center. Founded in 1962, this pizzeria has become a point of reference for lovers of pizza by the meter. With a familiar and welcoming atmosphere, Pizzeria da Franco offers a vast selection of tasty pizzas, prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Giant Pizzeria

Another historic pizzeria in Vico Equense is the Pizzeria Gigante, opened in 1975. This place is famous for its pizzas by the meter with an authentic and genuine flavour. The Pizzeria Gigante offers a wide variety of condiments and ingredients typical of the Neapolitan tradition, guaranteeing an unforgettable culinary experience.

Pizzeria da Gennaro

The Pizzeria da Gennaro is another unmissable stop for lovers of pizza by the meter in Vico Equense. Founded in 1988, this pizzeria boasts a long gastronomic tradition and particular attention to the quality of the ingredients used. With a welcoming and informal environment, Pizzeria da Gennaro offers a wide choice of pizzas, all prepared with skill and passion.

Typical ingredients of pizza by the metre

Pizza by the meter is an icon of the Neapolitan culinary tradition, characterized by high quality ingredients and authentic flavours.

The typical ingredients used in the preparation of pizza by the meter include buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomato, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano. These basic ingredients are combined to create a light and fragrant pizza, with a crunchy and honeycomb dough.

Buffalo mozzarella is a fresh and creamy cheese, produced with buffalo milk coming mainly from Campania and Lazio. The San Marzano tomato is a type of long, sweet tomato, grown on the slopes of Vesuvius and considered one of the best for the preparation of tomato sauce.

Fresh basil gives the pizza a fresh, herbaceous aroma, while extra virgin olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano add richness and flavor. These ingredients are expertly combined by skilled Neapolitan pizza chefs, who work the dough by hand and cook the pizza in wood-fired ovens to ensure perfect cooking and an authentic flavour.

Pizza by the meter is often served in long strips cut on the spot, allowing customers to enjoy different variations in one meal. This style of pizza has become popular all over the world, thanks to its authenticity and versatility. Each ingredient is carefully selected to guarantee maximum quality and freshness, offering a unique and unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Preparation techniques

Dough

The dough of the pizza by the meter is one of the most important phases in the preparation of this typical Neapolitan dish. It is a light and well-leavened dough, made with high quality flour, water, yeast and salt. The pasta is carefully worked to obtain a soft but crunchy texture once cooked. The dough must be left to rise for several hours to ensure good digestibility and a unique flavour.

Laying and seasonings

Once leavened, the dough is spread out on a rectangular baking tray and topped with fresh, quality ingredients. Typical pizza toppings by the meter include tomato, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and other ingredients of your choice such as ham, sausage, mushrooms and olives. The distribution of the seasonings on the dough must be uniform to guarantee a balanced and tasty result.

In some cases, pizza by the meter can also be filled with sweet ingredients such as custard, chocolate or fresh fruit. This variant is particularly appreciated by those with a sweet tooth and represents a perfect option for those who want to end the meal with a sweet touch.

Cooking

Once seasoned, the pizza by the meter is baked in wood-fired ovens at very high temperatures. Cooking occurs quickly, in just a few minutes, and the result is a pizza that is crunchy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. Cooking in a wood-fired oven gives pizza by the meter a unique and unmistakable flavour, which makes it an indispensable dish for lovers of the Neapolitan culinary tradition.

Events and festivals dedicated to pizza by the meter

Vico Equense metro pizza festival

One of the most awaited events by lovers of pizza by the metro is the Pizza a Metro Festival in Vico Equense. This festival is held every year in July and attracts numerous tourists and food enthusiasts from all over the world. During the festival, the historic pizzerias of Vico Equense come together to offer their pizza specialties by the meter, allowing visitors to taste different variations and discover traditional preparation techniques.

Competitions and tastings

The Vico Equense Metro Pizza Festival is not limited only to pizza tasting, but also offers the opportunity to participate in competitions and tastings. The best pizza chefs in the area compete to demonstrate their skills in preparing pizza by the meter, while visitors can participate in guided tasting sessions to discover new combinations and flavors.

Collateral events

In addition to tastings and competitions, the Vico Equense Metro Pizza Festival also offers collateral events such as live music shows, art exhibitions and culinary workshops. Visitors can thus completely immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and discover the culture and traditions linked to pizza by the meter.

The Vico Equense Pizza by the Meter Festival is a unique opportunity to live an unforgettable culinary experience and discover the charm of this unique gastronomic tradition.

Influence of pizza by the meter in the world

Pizza by the meter, originally from Vico Equense, has had a significant impact on international gastronomy.

This particular variant of pizza, characterized by a thin and crunchy base cut into long, narrow strips, has conquered the palates of numerous cooking enthusiasts all over the world. Its diffusion was also favored by the opening of pizzerias specialized in the preparation of this type of pizza, which contributed to making the culinary tradition of Vico Equense known and appreciated.

Thanks to its versatility and the possibility of customizing the ingredients and toppings, pizza by the meter has easily adapted to the tastes and preferences of different cultures, becoming a dish loved and appreciated in many nations.

Furthermore, pizza by the meter has also influenced the industrial production of pizza, with the spread of ovens specialized in cooking this type of pizza and the marketing of pre-cooked dough and ready-to-use toppings. This has made it possible to make pizza by the meter accessible to an increasingly wider audience, contributing to its popularity on a global level.

Gastronomic experiences in Vico Equense

Traditional restaurants

If you want to taste the real cuisine of Campania, you can't miss the traditional restaurants of Vico Equense. Here you can taste typical dishes such as pasta with tomato, aubergine parmigiana, fresh fish from the Gulf of Naples and, of course, Neapolitan pizza. The most renowned venues include the Ristorante da Salvatore, the Mustafa Restaurant and the Torre del Saracino Restaurant, awarded with a Michelin star.

Shops and markets

For a more authentic experience, I recommend visiting the shops and markets of Vico Equense. Here you can buy local products such as extra virgin olive oil, Sorrento lemons, fresh cheeses and typical cured meats. Among the most famous markets are the Vico Equense Market and the Marina di Equa Market, where you can stock up on delicacies to take home as gastronomic souvenirs.

Cooking lessons

If you are a cooking enthusiast and want to learn how to prepare typical dishes of the Campania tradition, I recommend you take part in a cooking class in Vico Equense. Numerous local chefs offer cooking classes where you can learn how to make Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta and other Neapolitan cuisine. A fun and educational experience that will leave you with new cooking skills to take home.

With all these gastronomic options, Vico Equense confirms itself as an unmissable destination for lovers of good food and the culinary tradition of Campania. Whether you want to taste typical dishes, shop in the local markets or learn to cook like a real chef, here you will find the perfect gastronomic experience for you.