Nigerian flour good for baking Italian pizza – Envoy
Mr. Stefano De Leo, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, says mixing Italian ingredients with Nigerian flour is good for baking his country’s pizza.
Leo said this at the ongoing inaugural event of the Italian 9th International Week of Cuisine scheduled from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23 in Abuja.
According to him, the Italian cooking technique and ingredients can be used with Nigerian ingredients or ingredients found wherever Italian citizens reside in the world.
“The Italian cooking techniques and ingredients can also be used with ingredients from afar, and this can be sustainable by using local products of our host community instead of importing flour from Italy.
“So, by patronising Nigerian flour, it will add value to the Nigerian flour market. Also, what we are saying is that we can make a lot of things without importing our products from our country.
“So, this will boost the local economy and attract interest to Nigerian food sectors by invariably encouraging the local farmers in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Leo also said that the event was celebrated as an Italian lifestyle, which was also part of the country’s income-generating sector.
“The embassy celebrates the Italian lifestyle because it’s part of our economy, which includes pasta, pizza, tractors, seeds, technology, and agriculture, and whatever is linked to food is what makes Italy important for tourists.
“Tourists go to Italy to taste the pizza and wine, which is part of our economy, and that’s why we celebrate the Italian lifestyle all around the world in November.
"To share with our host communities and friends our kind of lifestyle by enjoying life with them. Also looking for partners who will want to buy our wine, invest in agribusiness, and buy our technology.
“So, the main focus of this event is to entertain our guests and to partner and share business ideas of what Italy can do for our host community to promote business opportunities,’’ he said.
Supreme News reports that the pizzas showcased at the inaugural event were top Italian pizzas such as Neapolitan, Sicilian, Roman, and Bagel pizzas, among others.
