Pizza topped with Fresh Zucchini, Tomato, Onion, Bacon

Pizza,.. One of our favorite things to prepare when together with family and friends..  The variety of toppings are limitless and it’s fun using your imagination and combining fresh flavors and textures.   Most times we just improvise and choose things that we have on hand in the refrigerator or pantry.

For this pie, we used some fresh zucchini, fresh tomato, onion, havarti cheese and bacon we had on hand. To freshen things up, we topped each piece with a bit of fresh arugula salad.   This pizza takes a little prep work…..but it’s well worth the extra time.

The dough is easy to make but takes some time to rise, so if you are short on time, you can buy fresh dough or pre made pizza shells in your grocery store.   I provided you with the pizza dough recipe below,..just in case you want to try it.

Ingredients

• 1 – 2  zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 1 onion, sliced
• olive oil for frying
• 4 strips of bacon, fried till crisp
• 3 fresh tomatoes, sliced
• 8 oz. Havarti cheese, sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh arugula, dressed with salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon

1. Saute the zucchini with 2 tbsp. olive oil  in a large skillet till they are nicely browned on both sides, season with salt/ pepper and transfer to a plate.
2. Saute onion in 2 tbsp. olive oil till onion is soft and lightly brown, transfer to a plate
3. Fry up a few strips of bacon until crispy and drain on paper napkin
4. Slice the tomato and have cheeses ready for topping
5. Spread dough onto rectangular or circular greased pizza pan.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees
6. Top dough with havarti cheese, tomato, onion, zucchini and bacon, sprinkle with pecorino romano cheese and extra virgin olive oil.
7. Toss into preheated oven and bake till crust is brown and crispy.
8. Toss fresh arugula leaves with salt, pepper, extra virgin oil and fresh lemon juice
9. Remove pizza from oven, slice up and top each piece with a bit of fresh arugula salad. 

   

   

   

Homemade Pizza Dough

• 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast  (Bob’s Red Mill dry yeast my favorite)
• 1-1/3 cups warm water (105°F – 115°F)
• 2-3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups white unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. sea salt

1. Mix the yeast and water and olive oil in a bowl and stir to combine.  cover bowl and let rest for few minutes
2. Sift flour and salt into a large bowl, add yeast mixture and blend into a dough.  Knead dough on a floured work surface until dough is soft and pliable but not sticky, about 10 minutes.  Add more flour if too sticky.
3. Place dough in a another large bowl that has been lightly greased with oil.  cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel and let rise for 2 hours.. should double in size.
4. remove dough to work surface . Dough is ready to form into pizza.  It can be left whole for one large rectangular pizza or divided in half to be made two round pizzas…your choice

This dough is easy to make…and feels wonderful in your hands….It’s alive, soft and as light as air…..Look how it nicely it rises…..pillows of dough…

Have a pizza party today!!!  Buon Appetito friends…Kathleen Barbato…3 Italian Sisters.