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October 24, 2006

Pizza Blotter

Pizza blotters are only found in America. I have met a few (mostly when I was in high school) and had always been both intrigued and a little disgusted by their practice. For those who are not familiar with this breed of diner, they are the ones who, upon ordering a slice of pizza, take a napkin and sop up the excess grease from the cheese. The napkin usually comes back soaking and orange.

An English friend of mine, also living in Rome, recently recounted her run-in with a pizza blotter at an Italian restaurant. She had watched as an American couple ordered two small pizzas. The American girl was given her pizza and began to take napkins and press them onto her pizza. My friend had watched as surrounding patrons (mostly Italian) eyed the girl with confusion. The girl continued, but had seemed frustrated that the napkins were coming back clear.

"What was she doing?" my English friend asked me. "Is this an American thing?"

I laughed, and educated her on the practices of the pizza blotter. My English friend was appalled.

"If Americans know that the food they order is so greasy that they have to wipe the grease off themselves, don't they understand that it's not healthy?"

Posted by Kelsea  at 4:29 AM | Permalink

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