Just when you think there can’t possibly be any more food that can get pumpkin spice-ified, leave it to a New Jersey-based pizza chain to school us. Indeed, there’s always more food to be blessed (cursed?) by the gourd.
Villa Italian Kitchen began serving up what they call the “first ever pumpkin spice pizza” on Friday, Sept. 22, the first official day of fall. The pie’s hand-stretched pizza dough is topped with pumpkin pie filling and mozzarella cheese. After it’s baked, additional pumpkin pie filling is added on top.
While Vice declares it “the definition of crimes against carbohydrates,” a spokesperson told the publication that the company believes the seasonal pie will be hit with customers.
"Pumpkin Spice is undeniably the most popular flavor of fall. As such, we wanted to slice up our piece of the pie," Villa Italian Kitchen spokesperson Brian Lowe said. "We thought, what could be better than combining the popularity of Pumpkin Spice with pizza? So, after a few R&D sessions, we landed on the perfect Pumpkin Spice Pizza balance. It's a magical place where all the deliciousness of pizza meets the flavors of pumpkin spice."
When NJ.com reported the existence of the pizza, the comments lit up with a less-than-magical response.
“I hope Governor Christie bans this by executive order,” wrote one commenter. “Anyone who sells or buys this should get life in prison without parole.”
Ouch!
Others on social media aren't celebrating the pizza's release, either.
To be fair, pumpkin pizza isn’t a completely new invention. Various pizza shops have versions that include pureed pumpkin, walnuts, ricotta and savory herbs like sage; think pumpkin ravioli in pizza form. In this case, it seems to be the gimmicky “pumpkin spice” bandwagon-hopping that has people and publications all riled up.
From cough drops to a pumpkin spice spray, Starbucks has inspired (or unleashed?) a plethora of pumpkin spice-flavored monsters thanks to the popularity of its Pumpkin Spice Latte. We’re hoping the online reaction to this pizza (and Martha Stewart agreeing that pumpkin spice is for "basic bitches only" ) means the tide is finally turning and we can focus on the many other flavors of fall.
If you want to try the pumpkin spice pizza for yourself, check out one of Villa Italian Kitchen's 227 locations.