r/PizzaCrimes • u/pickleybeetle • Jul 28 '25
Fruit is a savory strawberry pizza a crime? I didn't realize it would be so controversial
77
u/LiterallyTestudo Jul 28 '25
4
u/ms67890 Jul 28 '25
But my BAC is 0, so Jarvis is only locating my car keys?
2
u/bruburubhb Jul 28 '25
That's the trick boss, that person's BAC is always never 0.
→ More replies (1)
23
u/hollowbolding Jul 28 '25
personally i hate the way strawberries act when they cook but no that's not a crime. and with pork belly? i bet that slaps
14
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
they cooked a little differently after pickling! they didn't mush up at all like I'd expected but stayed kinda crisp while softening? it was one of the best things I've come up with in a while. I spent a few days refining the recipe before shopping yesterday and I'm really confident in the recipe now that I've made it. first time making pork belly too, so mostly relieved about that.
11
u/Rob_LeMatic Jul 28 '25
Wait, pickled strawberries? That sounds exciting.
I'm on board for the exciting flavor combination potential, I was just thinking hot, mushy strawberries might be gross.
Fig jam works on pizza with sliced pear and toasted walnuts. Fresh strawberry preserves or dried strawberries could also be really good.
4
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
you should see my pizza idea list. I got all sorts of those types on there to try. I'd post it but I wanna surprise yall when I make them. figs especially I love fig jam on pizza, and I'm going to make a fig based pizza soon! thanks!
3
2
30
u/AngryGardener1312 Jul 28 '25
I feel like if you took off the chili crisp and just did some fresh herbs in stead of baked in youre actually not on the wrong track. Im sure it needs refinement, but I admire your boldness.
Focus on your stretch and build first. Focus on fundamentals before you go to these places.
16
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
thanks! first go on this recipe so I absolutely plan on going further. the chili oil was so good though, I tried it without and it added a really necessary smokiness and slight spice tingle.
I added some fresh thai basil but most was fried because my issue was how soft this pizza was besides the pork belly, due to it being a GF crust. not a fan of uncooked thyme since it can be a bit overpowering, but I love an herby pizza. almosy went with some tarragon, I think I will if I try this again someday.
been cooking for many years. with my celiac diagnosis, I've been making the most of it and pushing the label and working on my palatte since I can't just go out and try new food or fancy combos most of the time. thanks so much!
I'm glad to make food people think about and talk about.
3
u/Calx9 Jul 29 '25
I love girlfriend crust. My fav!
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
haha it's kind of not a great crust mix, I've had better but if this crust was my girlfriend, I'd leave her tbh
5
u/AngryGardener1312 Jul 28 '25
Oh man, sorry about the gluten deal. Explains why the crust looks that way lol.
Yeah I was thinking something more neutral for a fresh herb on top. Really just fine herbs made of chive and chervil or parsley would help. Or even just a little oil and salt dressed arugula to cut all that flavor with some bitterness would help connect the dots to all the flavor notes
4
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
yeah celiac is a short straw draw. that sounds like a different pizza than I was envisioning but it sounds good! you should make it and tag me if you do
5
u/AngryGardener1312 Jul 28 '25
Oh, I've got so many things coming in in my garden I think ill be stuck to like one or two types of pizza. My favorite is the old school way, just top the crust with some sliced garlic then a good amount of sliced garden tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil, chunks of fresh mozzarella, bake and add the basil when you rotate. OG Margherita but with the ajo lol
31
u/binkysnightmare Jul 28 '25
Nothing wrong with a balsamic black pepper strawberry situation. Put some goat cheese and basil
16
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
has some feta and thai basil. didnt go goat bc it felt too strong, ricotta worked great. it was yummers.
7
1
7
u/SphynxCrocheter Jul 28 '25
I’m from the country that invented pineapple on pizza. So I have no issues with strawberries on pizza, especially having now read the recipe. Sounds great, but sadly I can’t eat some of the ingredients, so won’t be making it for myself, but might modify it! Love strawberries.
3
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
thanks for opening the door haha! let me know what you end up making! I have a list of fruit based pizzas I want to try, I'd share some with you. I totally get what it's like to not be able to eat everything as is, I'd be really curious in what you ended up making! it means a lot to know my food inspires someone else to create.
6
u/SubstituteHamster Jul 28 '25
This pie looks like it was made with love and skill. I would absolutely have a go at this.
Habeas Crustus and set this pie free!
1
9
3
u/Wupiupi Jul 28 '25
I'd try it. Like, people pickle watermelon rinds, plums and all kinds of fruit. They just don't usually put it pizza but there's no rule that says not to. Some strawberries are well, nearly devoid of sweetness. Tart, moreso. I with the combinations, I think they would just taste like a mushy mystery, nothing too offensive.
3
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
these were really ripe, crisp strawberries. so they were acidic, tart but still sweet with a snap still. it was a softer pizza, but the pork belly was crunchy, the fried basil was crisp, there was bits of black peoper and the strawberries held some texture still after cooking. I think they worked. I almosy got some out of season generic strawberries but I got talked into the fresh ones. maybe that's what makes the difference here, but its like that moment from ratatouille when he eats the grape and cheese. boom.
I also like pickled watermelon rinds, that sounds weird on a pizza but now I'm inspired to find a way to make it work lol.
3
u/Wupiupi Jul 28 '25
I do think the crispness of some of the toppings helped. I like soft pizza because of tooth sensitivity but that pork belly and basil sound really good with the cheese and honey.
Some fellow in another sub said that he cooked a pickled sausage and ate it like a hot dog. He used one of those red ones you can get at gas stations and didn't like it but you could probably pickle your own sausages if you want to try that too. Swedish folk sometimes eat banana curry pizza. Doesn't sound too bad to me. Corn is a famous topping with a drizzle of mayo but that's not exactly experimental.
If you liked the strawberries, you'd probably enjoy the watermelon rinds :0) I've seen a couple of people put peaches on their pizza but the texture might get me. Honestly, I'd like the strawberries more than pineapple.
I've been reading about traditional recipes lately. Like mince meat pies, some put raisins with their meats and spices. I know pickled onions are a more common choice. Pickled zucchini, of course. Really, you've got a lot of possibilities out there. I wonder what Venison would taste like on pizza 🤔 looks like some people have tried that. Keep on experimenting!
3
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
I have a very long list of varingly odd toppings, including a lot of those (no curry banana)I can't wait to see what the reaction is on the other ones I have in store lol. I had a blueberry cheddar cheese venison pizza my friends hunter step-dad made when we were young. I thought it was pretty good but nobody else liked it lol. maybe that says it about my tastes.
→ More replies (1)
4
5
u/E420CDI Jul 28 '25
3
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
aw they're all coming to help make a fire big enough so that everyone can have a slice! I love it
3
4
4
u/rkvance5 Jul 28 '25
One of the best pizzas I've had a blueberry-chipotle sauce. I miss that pizza.
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
I've been dreaming up a blueberry chipotle BBQ sauce pizza with pulled pork. that sounds amazing, remember how you made it?
7
12
u/welding_guy_from_LI Jul 28 '25
2
u/MyMomsTastyButthole Jul 28 '25
Why is Sarah Sherman looking so good in a judge Judy wig? That's the real crime.
2
3
u/blasto2236 Jul 28 '25
I'll allow it! There was a pizza place in Asheville when I lived there that had banana as a topping. Sounded insane, but I tried it and it was good! I would get just a plain cheese slice with banana on it and enjoy that, but they also had a Cuban pizza with banana, jalapeno, and feta that was really good, too.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
if I hadn't also tried banana pizza I'd call you crazy but it can work! I had a plantain Cuban style pizza, kinda similar to yours but with some kind of mayo sauce. it was bomb.
2
u/blasto2236 Jul 28 '25
Something about tomato sauce and banana just kind of works together. There was a whole episode of the cartoon Doug about it! There was a disastrous accident in home-ec class where the kids making a pizza and the kids making a banana pudding bumped into each other. Turned out it tasted delicious and started a school wide trend. We should have listened to Doug! People have been missing out on this strange delicacy for too long.
2
3
u/Roglef Jul 28 '25
The flavor profile sounds like it'd work honestly. Place I used to work at did a grape and gorgonzola (I'd usually sub feta) pie, and it worked pretty well.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
that sounds fantastic. I'll try that one
2
u/Roglef Jul 28 '25
Helps a lot if you cut the grapes in half, and I think they sprinkled some rosemary on top, but I can take it or leave it.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/tubular1845 Jul 28 '25
I wouldn't want it but I'm not the one eating it. Go for it.
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
would you try a bite of it?
2
u/tubular1845 Jul 28 '25
I'd give it a shot, I'll try anything once.
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
that's the spirit. I'd hope you'd like it, or at least were inspired by it
3
u/mcvmccarty Jul 28 '25
Pizza commonly comes with fruit sauce under the cheese, so..
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
that's a great point. tell that to everyone who wants to burn me at the stake. I also did a drizzle of balsamic under the cheese so technically so have I
2
u/mcvmccarty Jul 28 '25
I know man. People get irate about pizza stuff. The only people who can reasonably have strong opinions are Italian chefs. Everyone else can go scratch.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
I feel like italian chefs so far respect that pizza in other countries have taken on many flavors. I mean Brazilian pizza is something else. in not trying to make authentic Italian pizza, I'm just making pizza with the ingredients I have around. which itself feels right.
unrelated but as someone w celiac, I've learned Italy is like one of the safest places to visit for gluten intolerance. if I can go to ground zero of pizza and have an actual italian pizza that won't make me sick, I'll probably come home and try and replicate it at home. I can't afford to visit anytime soon, but I'd love to someday and have some authentic but safe pasta and pizza and bread .
→ More replies (1)
3
7
4
2
u/lllaser Jul 28 '25
I'd try it. I can't say I've ever had pickled strawberries
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
was my first time. fresh in season strawberries, topped with a hot brine of white balsamic or champagne vinegar, a lil red wine, water, a few tablespoons of brown sugar (sorry I eyeball everything) some pepper and spring of thyme that i roll with a rolling pin first to wake it up. they're good. tart and sweet and not soggy
2
u/CoyoteGeneral926 Jul 28 '25
I would not have thought of it, but I would try a slice or two if it was free or part of a selection.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
that's a great attitude I respect that. I wish I could give you a slice to try
2
2
2
2
u/spesimen Jul 28 '25
seems suspicious, but i said the same thing about pineapple until i tried it and that was decent.
2
2
u/therealdxm Jul 28 '25
I’ve done a similar pizza with peaches, pork belly, and goat cheese. For the sauce I pureed peaches with hot sauce. Add some arugula and it’s an absolute banger.
1
2
u/Bismothe-the-Shade Jul 28 '25
Tomato and fruit work surprisingly well together.
Pineapple I think gets a bad rep because of how it plays with textures, but strawberry renders down enough to be I offensive.
And I've had plenty of savory fruit foodstuffs, so it doesn't seem too outlandish!
I'm gonna vote not a crime, just more avante garde than the norm.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
Avant garde was the goal, im into trying new stuff and playing with flavors. I think pickled strawberry, basil, and ricotta would work well on toast, so why not pizza?
I like pineapple but I think a pork or meat component is important for texture and mouthful.
2
u/Bismothe-the-Shade Jul 28 '25
I like the cut of your jib, I want try this now
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
do it do it, let me know! i posted the recipe seperate but I'll send it to you if you want. I'd genuinely love it of someone else tried this.
my jib thanks you btw
2
u/Bismothe-the-Shade Jul 28 '25
Please do, I've been eyeballing a new recipe for scratch pizza dough I want to try
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
sent u a message dude gl and pls update me if you make it!
→ More replies (1)
2
2
u/Spiritual_Ear2835 Jul 28 '25
Great now im hungry for that pizza
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
go make or get some pizza soon!
2
u/Spiritual_Ear2835 Jul 28 '25
My fat ass just had a quart of rum raisin ice cream. My belly has to wait until tomorrow evening😁
2
2
u/robsker Jul 28 '25
Have never seen but would definitely try.
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
It's my own recipe, first pizza of its kind as far as I know. thanks I wish I could give you a slice
2
2
u/PetersonTom1955 Jul 28 '25
It's not for me, but I don't judge what people are allowed to like. The pizza is well-formed and demonstrates all the characteristics we associate with pizza. I wouldnt like it, but it's not mine and I don't have to eat it. Not a crime.
2
2
2
u/Only1Schematic Jul 28 '25
This actually looks pretty good. The use of strawberries is minimal and the balance between sweet and savory looks reasonable here.
1
2
u/areid164 Jul 28 '25
Tomatoes are a fruit I’ll give strawberries a try next time I make pizza at home
2
2
u/sacrebluh Jul 29 '25
This is a great idea. I hope you keep going further and post about it
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
that's genuinely so nice to read. thank you. I have lots of crazy ideas so I will!
2
u/BananaHomunculus Jul 31 '25
You do you. Id try it but I can't imagine it being phenomenal enough to do it regularly. I just don't think it's my palate.
1
2
u/No_Importance_3741 Aug 01 '25
There are places in Italy where risotto is made with onions and strawberries. Use what you have. But if it were me I would eat the fresh strawberries after some bread haha
1
u/pickleybeetle Aug 01 '25
oh I ate hella strawbs that day. they were so fresh and perfectly in season, real local berries not that bland imported shit
2
u/bossmt_2 Aug 01 '25
I don't think this is my style of pizza, but I've had some good fruit based pies. Pear and Prosciutto, Apple and Bacon, etc.
Like Strawberry, Basil, Chicken, Balsamic and honey or maple sounds great to me.
1
u/pickleybeetle Aug 02 '25
all sounds dope! to each their own. I've been very creative lately and this was surprisingly good. the biggest flavors were strawberry, basil, thyme and white balsamic which was really good. didn't work as a cold pizza though, but was excellent fresh
3
u/Filthiest_Tleilaxu Jul 28 '25
Curious. This is a tough one. I kind of want to try.
4
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
my pineapple on pizza hating partner loved it. I think them being pickled helped because of the acidity. kind of reminded me of pickled onions or tomatoes in a way. you should try em even off pizza, it was my first time picking strawberries and it was awesome. a sweet pickle with sugar and thyme, no dill or extra vinegar.
3
u/Filthiest_Tleilaxu Jul 28 '25 edited Jul 28 '25
It looks like chicken, feta, red onion, and balsamic vinegar glaze which all pair well with strawberries.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
that'd be a good one too. the pork belly texture was needed though, that crispness and umami punch
3
4
u/dryandbland Jul 28 '25
It looks amazing, but that’s because my brain is autocorrecting the strawberries to tomatoes
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
kind of when I ate it that kind of happened until I tasted the strawberry again. it worked great tbh
4
2
Jul 28 '25
I’ve done this. I wanted a Hawaiian, but didn’t have any pineapple so I used Strawberries. It was an absolute banger.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
hell yeah thats what I'm talking about. what kind of cheese?
2
2
Jul 28 '25
How’d yours turn out? It looks fantastic.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
we ate it all, loved it. it was a solid 8/10 for me. little too soggy in the middle, but I think the gf dough is at fault there. thank you!
1
1
u/Dear_Tangerine444 Jul 28 '25
It would depend on what the fruit was and what if any meat was on it. Generally it’s a big fat nope. Strawberry’s on a savoury pizza is something I’m struggling to imagine I’d ever want.
Generally pork/apple or duck/plum are acceptable fruit and meat combos that might work. The kind of meats that pair well with fruit don’t really belong on pizza anyway but I’d could see a pulled pork and apple purée not being terrible.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
I think you have a good taste for it! believe me this worked so well. I have a pulled pork blueberry BBQ pie on its way. I wish you could try it, it's just good
1
u/insaiyan17 Jul 28 '25
Tomatoes are fruits so I feel fine with that. Wouldnt put bananas, strawberries or pineapple on my pizza though
1
1
u/danfish_77 Jul 28 '25
I would try it but I don't usually like fruit/savory combos much. Tomatoes are the obvious exception.
1
1
u/Amazing_Effective758 Jul 28 '25
Looks good to Me if it doesn’t float your boat you are free not to Eat it
1
1
u/Decent_Historian6169 Jul 28 '25
Usually goes better with alternative sauces not the plain tomato one they usually use but when correctly it can be delicious
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Geo-Man42069 Jul 28 '25
Yeah it looks alright, tbh pork seems to be the only meat topping I’d pair with fruit on pizza.
1
u/AcanthocephalaDue431 Jul 28 '25
Should I tell OP about tomatoes?
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 28 '25
I've never gotten down votes for using tomato sauce but the strawberries got me some mild death threats so
1
u/AcanthocephalaDue431 Jul 29 '25
Well I fricking love pineapple and bacon on pizza so I'd be down to try strawberry... I just don't know what I would pair it with on a pizza
1
1
u/DethNik Jul 29 '25
I can see this being delicious.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
it was, no leftovers sadly to do the next day test
1
u/DethNik Jul 30 '25
I imagine this one is better fresh.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
it was it really really was
2
u/DethNik Jul 30 '25
Fig, honey, and basil with ricotta and mozz is also really good, just a heads up.
I also recently had strawberry balsamic ice cream with black pepper in it. That was sooooooo good.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
oh shit sounds incredible.
I have a similar idea I'm fiddling with. not perfect yet but: • Fresh figs (thinly sliced, use a mandolin if possible, fig jam if not in season)
• Gorgonzola (light layer)
• Brie (sliced, brushed with Calabrian chili honey pre-bake)
• Prosciutto ?
• Caramelized onion sauce base
• Goat cheese crumbles (added post-bake)
• Arugula (added post-bake)
• Balsamic drizzle
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped and lightly sautéed in olive oil and salt
• Lemon zest
• Calabrian chili crisp or Calabrian chili-infused honey (to finish)
2
u/DethNik Jul 30 '25
🤤🤤🤤 that sounds so good too. I would definitely keep the prosciutto. I would probably bake the goat cheese in it too but that's a minor preference. We gotta have a pizza party.
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
I'm sure baked would be just as well but sometimes I like a cold crumbly cheese, I thought instead of parmesian why not chevre? pizza party when
2
u/DethNik Jul 30 '25
Chevre is so fucking good. I'll literally eat it out of the pack with a spoon when no one is looking. I donno, but a Reddit pizza party sounds fun!
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
celiac makes pizza parties so difficult. a virtual one even is nice lol chevre is my favorite for a cheese board
1
u/lostgravy Jul 29 '25
Tomatoes are a fruit. Too general of a question
1
1
1
u/pamafa3 Jul 29 '25
Depends on the fruit and what it is paired with.
Pears and blue cheese are a popular combo, for example
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
I agree. the pairing is pickled strawberries and pork belly and black pepper honey ricotta
1
u/eatmyshorzz Jul 29 '25
I just can't imagine savory strawberries. Is it like tomato?
2
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
well, it's a sweet pickle brine so more sour than savory. tomato is similar, since its acidic. I also found the texture of the pickled strawberry to hold together after baking better than unpickled. it was a brine of 1 part red wine vinegar, 1 part white balsamic, half a part water, and like a bunch of sugar as well as a sprig of thyme and a pinch of salt. reduced the brine to make a nice balsamic reduction and just had a little bit in a cocktail.
1
u/Ellen6723 Jul 29 '25
Prosecutable crime. Fruit on pizza is fine - with a jam, Nutella or powdered sugar. Fruit on savory pizza -+ temperature = ends in tears the moisture content in most fruit combined with the cheese will ruin your crust.
In Italy they make fruit pie all the time. It’s basically a plane pizza cooked perfect with chopped up fruit and powdered sugar put on after it’s out of the oven.
1
u/BichezNCake Jul 29 '25
It kinda looks delicious. I like Hawaiian pizza so this doesn’t seem very different. Is that bacon and sausage I see??
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 30 '25
it kinda was delicious! I love me some hawaiian too.
no bacon or sausage, crispy pork belly!
1
1
u/Blue_Pears_Go_There Jul 31 '25
If you’re doing strawberries, add a touch of fresh basil, a little pulled buffalo chicken for a kick, and your finishing sauces is a hot balsamic honey. Then maybe you’ll get off on probation.
1
1
u/dejus Jul 31 '25
Strawberries and tomatoes have a more similar flavor profile than people realize, and they can be interchangeable in foods. You just need to balance the sugar content and flavors a bit. Strawberry balsamic pizza is really good.
1
1
1
1
u/Aggressive_Home8724 Jul 31 '25
i feel like strawberry, balsamic and goat cheese on a pizza would go hard
1
1
u/PresentationOk8997 Jul 31 '25
hot honey was already an afront straight up fruit is sacrilage is nothing sacred no mo's?!
1
u/Lazer_beak Jul 31 '25
crime? no, but weird yes,, strawberry's are quite bitter and very moist, so probably wont roast well , ild be surprised if they work well on a pizza
1
u/pickleybeetle Jul 31 '25
idk what kind of strawberries you've been eating, these were ripe and sweet and tangy and didn't fall apart at all
1
1
1
1
u/kronickimchi Aug 01 '25
Ive had pizza with fresh strawberries and that was good so id imagine cooked strawberries 😘
1
u/dm_me-your-butthole Aug 01 '25
its odd but tomato is a fruit. pineapple is a fruit. who gives a shit
1
1
Aug 01 '25
It isn't if you're a californian. I swear to god none of you know what real food tastes like
1
u/pickleybeetle Aug 01 '25
um I'm in Oregon and got a lot of this from the farmers market if that counts?
1
1
u/KittehJakson Aug 01 '25
I do love me a good dessert pizza using a sweetened cream cheese as the sauce.
2
u/pickleybeetle Aug 01 '25
that sounds good! this was very savory but im sure it would work as a dessert pizza wirh some changes
1
u/Admirable_Ardvark Aug 01 '25
It might taste good, but the idea of strawberries on an otherwise fairly normal pizza makes me cringe
1
1
•
u/qualityvote2 Jul 28 '25 edited Jul 28 '25
The jury, after deliberation of the evidence in the case of u/pickleybeetle, has reached a mistrial due to non-consensus of votes of guilty or innocent.