Jene Edwards works as a clinical psychologist in California. An avid traveler outside of work, Jene Edwards has enjoyed trips to numerous locations around the world, including Italy.

Known for its food made from fresh, local ingredients, Italy is famous for many dishes. On a list of Italian delicacies one will find pasta, gelato, risotto, tiramisu, coffee, and ravioli. Possibly one of the most famous of all Italian foods is the pizza.

Authentic Italian pizza is much different than its American counterpart. While American pizza is often thick and heavy, loaded down with shredded cheese and toppings, Italians prefer to keep their pizzas simple, with a crisp, flat crust and authentic ingredients such as sauce made from scratch, herbs from the garden, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

One of the most famous pizzas in Italy is the Margherita pizza, named after Italy’s Queen Margherita who visited a pizzeria in Naples in the late 1800s. Upon her arrival, the owner of the pizzeria made a simple pizza made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil. The pizza, which featured the colors of the new Italian flag, was well received by the queen and grew in popularity throughout the country.

When traveling throughout Italy, pizza will feature regional twists and ingredients. Quattro formaggi, a four-cheese pizza, contains fresh mozzarella along with three local cheeses such as ricotta, gorgonzola, or Parmigiano-Reggiano. Pizza rustica, also very popular, is usually topped with marinated mushrooms, onions, and artichokes.