The Sierra Foothills’ Pizza Heritage

ONE OF THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS BROUGHT TO the Gold Country by the Italian immigrants was the tradition of baking in stone ovens, popular for pizza-making. Around 100 stone ovens dot the countryside where the Italians settled, according to the Sacramento Italian Cultural Society.

Stella Restaurant in Truckee has a wood-fired oven, along with Sierra Knolls’ Bear River Tasting Room north of Auburn. Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. in Nevada City plans to open with a wood-fired pizza oven.

Here are some noteworthy pizzas, including gluten-free ones.

LEFTY’S GRILL
Award-winning pizzas, including Napa-style pizza: Flatbread with virgin olive oil, mozzarella cheese, sliced pear, Gorgonzola cheese, balsamic syrup drizzle, fresh oregano and thyme.
101 Broad St., NC 265-5838 LeftysGrill.com

KANE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
Hand-folded, cracker-thin pizza crust, four cheeses, fresh tomato and basil. Gluten-free personal pizza, topped with four cheeses, housemade marinara sauce and choice of toppings.
120 E. Main St., GV
273-8111 KanesRestaurant.com

CAFÉ ZORRO
5911 King Rd., Loomis
916-660-1612 CafeZorro.com

OLD TOWN PIZZA
150 Sacramento St., Auburn
530-888-7600 OTPizza.net

MOODY’S BISTRO BAR & BEATS
10007 Bridge St., Truckee
530-587-8688 MoodysBistro.com

Homemade Pizza

Instead of heating a frozen pizza, more people are making pizza from scratch at home — all thanks to baking stones, pizza boards, pizza cutters, gluten-free mixes, Semolina flour and more.

We like the Emile Henry Pizza Stone, made in France, not Italy. It produces perfectly crispy crusts, and doubles as a cutting surface.

A pizza peel is the traditional Italian tool for sliding pizzas onto and off of the baking stone. Durable, stainless steel pizza wheels glide through even the thickest pizza crust.

Tess’ Kitchen Store (TessKitchenStore.com) and the Wooden Spoon (WoodenSpoon.com) have unique and abundant pizza-making supplies.

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