Industry insider Pizza Marketplace tracks fresh, clean ingredients as a hot marketing trend for this year, it’s time to think outside the traditional topping box. Consumers have a big appetite for healthy choices, and they love enjoying old favorites with guilt-free pleasure.
We haven’t seen iceberg lettuce on a pizza yet, but it can’t be far behind these innovative additions to the classic pie. If you’re ready to stretch with some new ideas for your food service operations, start with one of these 10 irresistible vegetable pizza toppings.
Veggie Pizza Toppings: 10 You’ll Absolutely Love
1. Brussels Sprouts New York Style
As one of the Big Apple’s biggest pizzeria chains, Motorino knows how to cater to customers without getting stale. Their Brussels sprout and pancetta pizza à la Motorino scores high marks with local palates.
2. Summer Squash California Style
Oakland’s Pizzaiolo satisfies sunny California’s taste for healthy dining with an organic summer squash pizza. The favorite seasonal veggie joins ricotta salata and pounded parsley on a gluten-free or traditional crust.
3. Mellow Portobello Mushrooms
These magnificent mushrooms join fresh spinach and spicy jalapenos on an amazing Magical Mystery Tour pizza. Credit the Mellow Mushroom chain for this nutritious culinary combo.
4. Bright Bell Peppers And Red Onions
From Food Network’s Faithfully Fit special, we suggest a simple vegetarian pie that doubles as a mouthwatering palette of colors. Combine red and orange bell pepper rings with red onions, and create an eye-catching pizza that’s as healthy as it is beautiful on the plate.
5. Romaine Hearts On A Hand-Tossed Crust
Technically, it isn’t vegan, but this delicious pie from California Pizza Kitchen deserves a spot on our list. Their California Club pizza delivers as advertised with roasted chicken, applewood smoked bacon, crisp romaine hearts, ripe avocado and wild arugula.
6. Fresh Corn Off The Cob
We love the Southwestern accent of fresh corn as a pizza topping. Your customers will love the enticing flavors and textures of sweet corn kernels and smoky poblano peppers. Finished off with cheddar cheese, this pie turns tasty circles around traditional corners.
7. Chickpeas With A Cayenne Kick
Start with simple chickpeas processed into a silky humus with roasted garlic, lemon juice and honey. Spice it up with a kick of cayenne, spread over a pie crust, and top with goat cheese. Bobby Flay grills his version of this spicy hummus pizza, but your cooking options are wide open.
8. Fresh Spinach With Balsamic Highlights
Pizza Hut tops their veggie pie with fresh spinach, red onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and roma tomatoes. They call it the Garden Party and finish off their edible festival with a drizzle of the Hut’s special balsamic sauce.
9. Tender, Sautéed Eggplant
The online offerings from Food & Wine serve up great veggie pizza ideas, but we’re partial to their eggplant, pesto, and goat cheese pie. These classic Italian ingredients bring Old Country flavors together in a hearty dish that serves up as a timeless healthy choice.
10. Grapes Fresh From The Vine
Chef Jamie Oliver enjoys his green and red grape pizza as a bright breakfast dish and a delicious dessert. Vanilla sugar puts a sweet twist on this amazing pie topped with rosemary, pine nuts and a splash of white wine.
Supporting the Freshest Trends
Nationally, pizza sales topped $38 billion in 2015. Combine those figures with consumer preferences for healthy choices, and the veggie-topped pie definitely earns a hot spot on your menu. Hitchcock Farms proudly joins other national and local produce suppliers in tossing our support behind this freshest marketing trend.
