Brier Hill-style pizza was developed by Italian immigrants in the Brier Hill neighborhood of Youngstown, Ohio. It is Youngstown's best-known style of pizza.
| Type | Pizza |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Youngstown, Ohio |
| Created by | Italian Immigrants |
| Main ingredients | tomato pizza sauce, red and green peppers, Romano cheese |
History
editThe pizza was developed in the Brier Hill neighborhood of Youngstown, Ohio.[1] The neighborhood takes its name from the nearby Brier Hill Farm estate of Ohio judge George Tod and former Ohio governor David Tod and the family's Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company.[1][2][3] The area was where Youngstown's first Italian immigrants settled in the late 1800s to find work in the steel mills.[1][4]
They developed the style during the Great Depression as a use for extra bread dough.[1] It was originally baked in communal brick ovens.[1]
Description
editBrier Hill pizza is characterized by a breadlike dough, thick tomato sauce, bell peppers and Romano cheese rather than the more-typical mozzarella.[1][4][5][6] The traditional toppings were used because home-canned tomatoes and peppers were common items in many Italian homes and Romano cheese can be stored without refrigeration.[6]
Popularity
editBrier Hill is Youngstown's best-known style of pizza.[7] It is not well-known outside of the area, but examples exist in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Columbus.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Guerrieri, Vince; Sands, Lisa (March 2022). "3 Ohio Pizza Styles and Where to Get Them". Ohio. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Rickman, William (2016-03-09). "Brier Hill". Belt Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Brier Hill: It's a Pizza Tradition in the Valley". La Gazzetta Italiana. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Guerrieri, Vince. "Brier Hill Pizza A church bakes up hundreds of these regional pizzas once a week". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Lee, Dennis (20 May 2021). "The Big Honkin' Guide To America's Regional Pizza Styles". The Takeout. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Sole, Sarah. "This little known, Ohio-born style of pizza is quietly gaining a footing in Columbus". 614Now. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Trill, Tyler. "Brier Hill Pizza's legacy lives on in Youngstown". WKBN-TV. Retrieved September 13, 2024.