Pizza Radicchio, Fontina and Walnuts, a seasonal alternative to the classic red pizza with tomato sauce, played on the pleasantly bitter tone of the radicchio, the richness of the mozzarella and fontina, and the sweet crunch of the walnuts. A luxurious Pizza Night on a winter day.
Song of the day: The Real Thing - Lisa Stansfield.
Before Pizza Night became a weekly "thing" at home in Canada with Loreto, it was a recurrent and welcomed activity with my family in Rome.
A glimpse at Pizza Night with my family
On a Friday night if it was my mom making the dough, on a Saturday night when I was in charge of the kitchen.
My dad often helping with the toppings, then everybody sitting at the table, nibbling on some antipasto, waiting for the pizza to come.
The 'pizzaiolo' (me or my mom) would have all the pizza pans oiled, the pizza dough balls partitioned and the toppings ready. With skilled hands, we would stretch the pizza in the pan, reaching the borders and leaving the edges a little thicker than the center, then spreading the toppings, and always finishing with a drizzle of olive oil before it hit the oven. When one was ready, it would be put on a pizza plate, cut in slices with scissors, and brought to the table, then it was time for the next one.
Hard life being the pizzaiolo of the night, we eat a slice of pizza 'on the go' while making the next one for the family to enjoy, sitting down only when the next pizza is in the oven. Red cheeks from the oven and the fast pace, how I love those nights!
In Canada, with Loreto, we've been hosting Pizza Night on a whim, that is when the craving hit, and we're often inviting friends over to share the pleasure. Pizza night for us can happen any day of the week, lol.
One thing remains the same: in both Countries, here and there, I hardly miss a week without Pizza.
We tend to stick to seasonality even when choosing the topping for our Pizza. If in the summer we appreciate zucchini, peppers, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, in the winter we veer towards richer, bolder, flavors, using mushrooms, potatoes, and one of my favorite bitter greens, radicchio.
Who loves Radicchio raise a hand
I am aware that outside of Italy there is little knowledge about radicchio, and even among the ones who know about it, there is a percentage that does not like its bitter taste. However, the ones who love it, love it dearly. Me among them. Radicchio is choke-full of minerals and vitamins and with properties beneficial for the whole body, especially for the immune system in the period in which it is more exposed to viruses.
Radicchio on pizza and more
As for the radicchio I used in this Pizza, it is the variety called Radicchio rosso di Treviso precoce, with long red leaves and a white main rib. It is the same variety I used to make Risotto. It is slightly more bitter than the round, cabbage-shaped, red radicchio called Chioggia, that I used in a salad. You can use both, whichever you can find. Just chop the leaves, dress them in olive oil, salt and pepper and top the pizza with it. No need to cook the radicchio before, it is going to cook together with the mozzarella, fontina, and walnuts. Before hitting the oven, our pizza is always drizzled with e.v.o. oil.
In Italy, Pizza Radicchio e Noci (Pizza Radicchio and Walnuts) is a popular choice and it is listed on the menus of restaurants and pizzerie among the more famous ones. It is often called "Trevigiana" (from the city, Treviso, where they produce radicchio), and Gorgonzola is the most common cheese used, together with Mozzarella.
What cheese to use
I decided to use Fontina, instead of the pungent Gorgonzola (which I love, by the way). They are both rich, flavorful and aromatic cheeses, that melt wonderfully and are a great counterpart to the bitter edge of the radicchio. Feel free to choose which one you like best. Anyway, do not forget the walnuts; they provide a nutty sweetness and a nice crunch.
In Canada, we had Pizza Radicchio, Fontina and Walnuts with Loreto a couple of times before I left. Here, I shared it with my mom, dad, my brother, and his girlfriend. The moans of appreciation were more eloquent than a thousand words.
Pizza is about highlighting seasonal, local produce and combining flavors for the most wonderful balanced textures and flavor experience, that is Italian cooking! This Pizza Radicchio, Fontina and Walnuts is a great example of how flavors can dance together in a wonderful performance called PIZZA!
Happy Pizza Time!
Buon Appetito!
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Pizza Radicchio, Fontina and Walnuts
Pizza Radicchio, Fontina, and Walnuts, a seasonal alternative to the classic red pizza with tomato sauce, played on the pleasantly bitter tone of the radicchio, the richness of the mozzarella and fontina, the sweet crunch of the walnuts. A luxurious Pizza Night on a winter day.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough, homemade or store-bought (our recipe is here, makes 3)
- ½ radicchio (about 100 g), chopped
- fontina (about 50 g) grated
- 1 small mozzarella
- a handful of walnuts
- e.v.o. oil, salt, and pepper to dress the radicchio
Instructions
- Wash the radicchio leaves, pat them dry, and chop them, more or less fine, according to your taste. Put in a bowl and dress with e.v.o. oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Cut the mozzarella into cubes.
- Stretch out the pizza dough on a round baking pan, previously greased.
- Add the radicchio, spreading it evenly all over the pizza. Add the cubed mozzarella, then grate the fontina all over the top. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top of it all.
- Finish with a drizzle of e.v.o. oil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 430° F (220° C ) for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are nice and golden and the top cheese melted and bubbly. We always check the bottom, too, to see if it's golden.
- When cooked, remove your pizza from the oven, slice it, and serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Notes
The measurements are approximate. Use more or less radicchio, more or less mozzarella, as you most like. I grated the Fontina directly on top, so I don't know exactly the quantity I added. I tried to fill the top evenly and stopped when I thought it was enough. Listen to your intuition, trust your eyes, noses and taste buds. They know a lot.
Try the pizza with different types of cheese to add to the mozzarella, but choose ones with a bolder flavor to counterpart the bitterness of the radicchio.
I never use a rolling a rolling pin to stretch the dough, only my hands. I drizzle some olive oil at the bottom of the pizza pan, spread it with my fingers, then grab the pizza dough ball and start stretching it in the pan with my slightly oily fingers.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Pizza, Vegetarian
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pizza, radicchio, walnuts, fontina, mozzarella, winter
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Gloria says
I LOVE pizza, but have never tried one this way. On the other hand, I have not me a pizza I did not like. I think some fun in the kitchen is in order. This is just the recipe to play with too.
★★★★★
Thank you, Gloria, it is a pretty delicious combo and one that is polular here in Italy. Hope you try it!
Corina Blum says
What a gorgeous nutty pizza! I love the fact that this one doesn't have any tomato on it. I would also love to be in Italy at one of the pizza nights you describe there - I'm sure the pizza is wonderful!
★★★★★
Thank you, Corina! I prefer white pizza to the one with tomato sauce (well, other than the Margherita) 🙂 .
Aleta says
Whoa this combination of delicious flavours? Yes please! Fontina is one of my favourite cheeses, paired with walnuts and radicchio? Genius! Can't wait to try this pizza!
★★★★★
Fontina is such a wonderful flavorful cheese! Here, it is perfect! Thank you!
Elaine Benoit says
Your pizza looks perfect Nicoletta! I love the simplicity of it but also the intricate flavor combinations! Not only is the pizza beautiful, but I bet heavenly to taste! I loved reading your pizza making story, reminded me of my grandmother's house.
★★★★★
Thank you so much! Simple intricate favors, well put. Love to be associated with grandma's cooking! 🙂
Saima says
Loved your story about being the pizzaiolo! Very different ingredients indeed for people who are not familiar with Italian cooking and hence a must try!
★★★★★
Thank you! I know, these are not the usual ingredients you would find on a pizza in the U.S, or North America 🙂 . But I assure you the flavor of this pizza is great!
Mimi says
This is just beautiful. I can imagine the flavors. And Fontina is one of my favorite cheeses!
Thank you, Mimi! The Fontina just makes it even more delicious and balances the bitterness. We love this pizza!
Analida Braeger says
Wow. What a beautiful treat. Fontina is one of my favorite cheeses and this would be a perfect party appetizer over wine! Cannot wait to try it.
★★★★★
Thanks! Yes, that would be a nice appetizer. Fontina is so rich and buttery and delicious!
Veronika's Kitchen says
Wow! That looks delicious! I definitely need to try this recipe! It will be perfect for a lazy weekend)
★★★★★
Thank you! It is such a good vegetarian option, different, oh so flavorful!
Urban Foodie Kitchen says
I'm a huge pizza fan and am always looking for fun new flavor combos to try. This one sounds delicious!
Natalie says
Oh wow this pizza sounds so interesting... and tasty. I must give it a try. What a interesting flavor combo. Saving this recipe.
★★★★★
It is very tasty and full of nutrients from the bitter green and walnuts. The cheese just adds goodness 😉
Leslie Haasch says
I love pizza so much I could definitely eat it for every meal. Especially this bad boy - love that you used fontina cheese!
Us too! We could eat pizza every meal. And we usually stick to simple pizzas with great ingredients like this one.
amita says
Love this recipe. One of my daughters doesn't like tomato at all so this recipe would be perfect for her. saving it for next weekend.
Thank you! This is perfect for a white pizza lover, although you have to like bitter greens too 🙂 .
Jyothi (Jo) says
This is such an amazing pizza recipe, it looks so delicious and recipe is so simple! I love interesting and unique pizzas like this! Saving it to try later
★★★★★
Thank you! Hope you give it a try, the flavors are incredible!