The snow has melted, and the days are getting warmer. There is no denying that spring is in the air. Springtime brings longer days and celebrations like Easter. Many celebrate Easter this month with special Easter foods like Easter pizza, but there are other ways to celebrate the Spring season.
We like to celebrate the changing of the seasons by adding spring veggies to our pizzas. Springtime pizza focuses on using fresh veggies on a light crust to make the perfect light pizza to welcome the warmer months.
In honor of the season of rebirth and renewal, we want to share three great Springtime pizza ideas for you to try.
These pizzas start with either a homemade dough, flatbread, or store-bought crust. If you are looking to try a new dough, check out yeast-free pizza doughs. And one way to ensure healthy fresh ingredients in your pizza is to buy take and bake to cook at home.
Fennel, Artichoke, and Salami Pizza with Arugula
So, the first thing is first, what is fennel? Well, we are glad you asked. Fennel is a spring vegetable that resembles a large leek. Fennel is bigger than their cousin, the leek, and the tops have a frilly frond that is also edible.
Fennel has a distinct fresh anise flavor that is really unique. It is eaten raw, sautéed, roasted, or boiled in soups and sauces. While it’s easy to find in grocery stores and farmers’ markets in the U.S., it’s not a common vegetable seen on the American plate.
We have seen it used more in Italy than anywhere else. But since it’s easy to grow and a flavorful spring vegetable, we decided to add it to our Springtime pizza.
To make two pizzas, you will need:
- 1 fresh fennel
- 1 jar of artichokes
- 1 salami thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds
- Handful of arugula
- Pizza sauce or marinara
- 2 cups of mozzarella
- ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Start by preparing the toppings. Slice the fennel bulb into thin slices and place in a bowl with the arugula. Zest half of the lemon and squeeze the juice over the mixture. Then, add the olive oil and set it aside.
Take the pizza crust and spread the marinara, then sprinkle with fennel seeds. Add mozzarella and place salami slices on the pizza. Bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes. When it’s done, take it out, sprinkle with Parmesan, and slice. Add the arugula fennel mix to each slice.
It’s light, it’s lemony, and it’s a fantastic Springtime pizza.
Asparagus and Morel Pizza
Asparagus is perfect in the Spring. The stalks are thin and have the perfect crunch. If you have ever had asparagus in the off-season, you know it can be tough and stringy.
This pizza combines the tasty elusive morel mushroom with young asparagus stalks. If you have never had morels before, you are in for a treat. You can find morels in your local farmer’s market or specialty shops.
If you have trouble finding them, you can always get dried ones online and rehydrate them. Or, if you have the space and a green thumb, you can learn how to grow them using this kit.
To make two pizzas, you will need:
- 1 pound of fresh asparagus
- 1 pint of morel mushrooms
- 1 head of roasted garlic
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin olive oil
- 2 cups of mozzarella
First, sauté the asparagus and morels in olive oil for 3-5 minutes and set aside to cool. Then, spread the olive oil on the pizza base and add roasted garlic pieces. Sprinkle the mozzarella, then add the asparagus and morel mix. Bake on 450°F for 10-12 minutes.
If you have never roasted garlic before, don’t worry, it’s easy. Just take a head of garlic and chop off the pointy ends just enough to see the garlic. Place the garlic on a piece of foil with the cut tips side up and root side down. Cover olive oil, close the foil to make a pouch and bake on 400°F for around 40 minutes.
We make roasted garlic whenever we have the oven on and use the roasted garlic in soups, salads, and, you guessed it, pizza. Roasted garlic has a milder flavor than fresh. If you find you love roasted garlic as we do, a garlic roaster is worth the kitchen space it takes up.
Fertility Pizza: Oysters, Salmon, and Spinach
Since Spring is associated with rebirth and fertility, we included a fertility-focused pizza. Of course, we are not doctors and can’t guarantee that this pizza will give you a bun in the oven.
But, many in the traditional and naturopathic communities have long believed that certain foods boost your chances of conceiving.
So in honor of Springtime, warm days, and the birds and the bees getting active again, We have a Springtime pizza that is also fertility-boosting.
To make this pizza, you will need:
- 1 tin of smoked oysters
- 1 cup of smoked salmon or fresh salmon in pieces
- Fresh spinach
- 2 cups mozzarella
- 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
We have made this pizza with both red and white sauces. The white works well with seafood, but the red is also yummy. And cooked tomatoes are on the list of fertility-boosting foods, so if that’s your end game, maybe go with the red sauce.
Spread the sauce on the crust and add the mozzarella. Place the oysters and salmon on the crust. Tear the spinach leaves if they are too big before adding them to the pizza. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and a little black pepper. Bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes.
Garnish with fresh lemon slices. Adding a splash of citrus makes the flavors pop and gives this Springtime pizza an added intensity.
Are you ready for Spring? What are your favorite ingredients to add to a Springtime pizza?
