Pepperoni, ham, sausage, ground beef—all are good pizza toppings. They compose the core of most pizza lover’s choices in the country, but so many more exist along side them 
and often get left behind. Pineapple, for example, is widely popular in some parts of the country and adds a bit of fruity zest to a pizza, but that tangy treasure isn’t all that’s possible. Go completely international to broaden your pizza toppings choices.
Mexican Pizza
Bring the best of cuisine from south of the border into your living room with a Mexican foods flavor. Top your pizza with:
- Chili peppers
- Mexican-spiced beef, chicken or pork
- Smoky cheddar
- Gouda cheese
- Banana peppers
- Tangy jalapenos
- Raw onions
- Crushed corn tortillas or corn chips
- Sun-dried tomatoes
Greek Pizza
Envision the mild Mediterranean with a lighter crust topped with:
- Green olives
- Black olives
- Chopped chives
- Sour cream
- Feta cheese
- Bleu cheese chunks, if desired
- Gouda cheese
- Grilled onions
- A touch of garlic
- Spinach leaves, shredded
- Virgin olive oil
Oriental Pizza
The mysteries of the Far East are deciphered and unraveled in this Oriental pizza that is made with wafer-thin, almost cracker-like crust topped with:
- Teriyaki and rich tomato sauce
- Bean sprouts
- Shredded carrots
- A touch of soy sauce
- Teriyaki-flavored meat of choice
- Grilled cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
Orchard Pizza
Often considered more of a dessert pizza tart, Orchard pizza highlights fruit toppings and can be a blend of non-traditional sauces and fruits or compotes. Served in a deep single-serving dish, the crust is often a breading or almost a pie crust. Alfredo sauce covered with a light sugar-free jam and a complimenting fruit, such as strawberry jam and ripe strawberries, and crushed bacon bits, freshly made and drained well, surprises the palate and tops off a meal nicely. Use marmalade, jellies, preserves or jam if preferred.
Change the base sauce to just a compost and make a pizza tart that’s your very own. Make a standard pizza crust and use a blend of melted cheeses and your favorite fruit. Orchard pizza is open to just about any combination of flavors that an enterprising cook can devise.
Pizza Bites
If company stops by unexpectedly or the food budget is running low, try making pizza from store-bought biscuit dough or pressed bread with the crusts trimmed off. Make them one to two inches across, a dab of tomato sauce, a shake or two of oregano or basil, a drop or two of olive oil, and some tomato, green or red peppers, shredded or strips of provolone and perhaps even a little of last night’s meatloaf can quickly turn these toasted bite-sized pizzas into snacks that sate an appetite and don’t stretch a budget.
Unusual Tastes
While certainly not a flavor for everyone, some of the more unusual tastes that have found their way onto pizza include:
- Peanut butter
- Lettuce
- Smelt
- Anchovies, though this salty fish has been a favorite of some for a long time
- Hard boiled eggs
- Macaroni
- Seaweed and Kelp
- Crab
- Squash
- Lentils
- Radishes
- Broccoli
- Eel
Summary
Stretch beyond the usual. Think outside the delivery box and make your own homemade pizza with toppings that sooth, comfort or excite. Be bold. Be creative. Use toppings that often get left off the flavor train.
About the Author
JC Ryan is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online courses, they can choose from to reach their goals. My Colleges and Careers also provides information on culinary arts schools.