Windsor pizza is a regional Canadian favourite with a rich history rooted in the city’s Italian-immigrant community. Today, this local pizza is so popular, people will often drive for miles to enjoy the taste experience.
Emerging in the mid-20th century, the distinctive style was pioneered by local pizzerias such as Volturno’s and Arcata. Volcano Pizzeria, which opened in the 1950s, is credited with introducing the original Windsor pizza recipe. When the restaurant closed in 1986, former employees launched their own pizzerias using the same recipe for success.
Signature elements include a medium-thin, crispy-yet-chewy cornmeal crust, canned mushrooms, a high-fat mozzarella, and a bold, slightly sweet oregano-spiced tomato sauce.
The most distinctive feature, however, is the shredded pepperoni. Unlike traditional pepperoni, the julienne-cut shredded format creates better distribution and allows oil to spread across the pizza’s surface rather than pool in the slices.
With today’s pizza renaissance, independent and chain operators across the country are looking for new ways to distinguish themselves, says Dan Glendinning, country manager, Hormel Foodservice Canada. “What better way to do that than to seek out local success stories and introduce them to the rest of the market. HORMEL® Ribbon Pepperoni makes it easy for operators to add a new spin on their pizza recipes, while saving time, money, and labour.”
