Rome to Roadsides: India's Take on Pizza and
Pasta

10 min read

Posted on 12/05/2024

Article

Street Food

Culture

Quick Summary

Indian street-style pizza and pasta have become incredibly popular, blending traditional Italian flavours with local creativity. Street vendors and eateries across India have reimagined these classics, infusing them with spices and toppings unique to the region. What sets Indian street-style pizza and pasta apart are their innovative toppings and sauces. From Paneer Tikka Pizza to Masala Pasta, these dishes combine Indian spices with Italian staples, creating a delicious fusion. Chefs also use regional ingredients like Tandoori Chicken, spinach, and cottage cheese, adding an Indian twist. This culinary evolution has delighted locals and attracted a global audience, showcasing a harmonious blend of cultures and flavours.

Deep Dive

What is the first image that pops into your head when we say 'Pizza'? Of course, the Italian-style pizza, made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese with fresh basil leaves on top. This is followed by the cheesy pepperoni pizzas of the United States brought to the stateside by Italian immigrants.

It may seem hard to believe, but the most innovative pizzas in the world are made right here in India! Jain pizzas, Kulhad pizza, and tandoori gravy instead of tomato sauce are just some of these being made on the streets of our towns. Not just pizza; even pasta has Indian renditions. From mac-n-cheese to aglio olio, every pasta has been Indianised with a bit of garam masala and onion-tomato tadka.

These dishes are not just food; they're tales of creativity and fusion, blending Italian classics with Indian spice magic. Every bite is a burst of deliciousness and innovation. So, join us in the gastronomic world of Indian street food, where pizzas sizzle with desi toppings and plates of pasta swirl in aromatic masalas. The charm isn't just their lip-smacking flavours; it's about the ingenious twists that make them so addictive!

What Makes Them Different?

What sets Indian street-style pizza and pasta apart are the creative ways they blend Italian classics with local Indian flavours. Unlike traditional pizzas and pasta, these street versions get a desi makeover with unique toppings and sauces. Imagine biting into a pizza loaded with mint sauce and pieces of paneer tikka or digging into pasta infused with Indian masalas! It's this fusion of cultures and cuisines that makes them stand out.

Flavours and Varieties: The Indian Street Magic

Indian street-style pizzas often feature bold toppings like tandoori chicken, spicy kebabs, or even vegetarian options like paneer and mixed vegetables, all smothered in a blend of tangy sauces and Indian spices. These pizzas are also very pleasing with cheese, often using multiple varieties on one flatbread. From mozzarella to paneer and other Indian varieties, known for their creamy and slightly tangy taste, Indian pizzas ooze out cheese in every bite.

Similarly, street-style pasta in India ditches the traditional Italian sauces for a burst of local masalas. You'll find variations like masala pasta with a hint of garam masala or creamy sauces infused with Indian herbs and chutneys, creating a compelling experience that's both familiar and exciting.

The Jugaad Philosophy: A Culinary Revolution

Indian street food vendors have successfully figured out how to fuse Indian and Western flavours. And they have gone completely off script. They put everything but the kitchen sink in! The philosophy of "jugaad" is very much alive in the Indian culinary world.

The idea was to make an affordable, authentic, delicious pizza. In came kulcha as the base, with Indian sauces and veggies of almost every colour on top and a mound of grated cheese. The same thing happened with pasta. The versatility of pasta, its ability to absorb flavours, and its compatibility with Indian spices and ingredients made it a natural candidate for fusion dishes.

Great Taste with Every Bite

What makes street-style pasta and pizza so special is not just their deliciousness but also the stories they tell. They represent a culinary journey of Italy's sauces met with the gravies of India. Street-style pasta and pizza remind us that great food knows no boundaries — it transcends cultures, bringing people together in a shared love for extraordinary flavours. So, the next time you stroll down the bustling streets of India, don't just satisfy your hunger; indulge in an adventure that tantalises your taste buds and leaves you craving for more.

blurb

The first pizzas were square or rectangular, popular with working-class people in Naples.

In 2001, a pizza was delivered to the International Space Station via a resupply rocket and was had by Russian astronaut Yuri Usachov.

The word "pasta" comes from the Italian for paste, meaning a combination of flour and water.