The Unexpected Combo That Makes Swedish Pizza So Unique

For such a seemingly straightforward food, pizza spends much of its time embroiled in controversy and buffeted by wildly strong opinions. , each with staunch supporters and detractors ready to go to war at the drop of a hat. You also have the hungry souls who will going toe to toe against .

" Amidst all of the vitriol and cartoon-like dust clouds of violence, there stands Sweden, ready to offer up a slice of banana and curry pizza. Banana and curry pizza proudly sticks out; a sweet and savory combo born from the increased interest in Polynesian culture and food Sweden experienced after World War II. (There is no need to panic; Sweden has more familiar pizza toppings like ham and mushroom, so pizza traditionalists won't starve when visiting the country.



) Before you turn your nose up at a slice, think about all of the salty and sweet combinations you might already enjoy in your life like salted caramel or fries dipped into milkshakes. People who enjoy this pie also claim that the banana and curry spices go well together which won't be a shocker to anyone who's eaten Indian, African, or Southeast Asian food before. Why bananas and curry go well together Scandinavian countries love to make a statement by spotlighting uncommon flavor combinations on their pizza, sprinkling everything from doner kebab meat to coleslaw over the dough.

But the aforementioned banana and curry combo often earns the most attention from foreigners. That being said, if you're skeptical of this pizza, you stand to be pleasantly surprised. Cooked bananas have a delicious, almost caramel-like taste and custardy texture that perfectly offsets the spice and strong flavors of the curry.

In fact, the banana pairs particularly well with nutmeg, ginger, and turmeric. The bananas melt into the cheese and sauce, making for a luxurious bite that's rich in both taste and texture. To top it all off, ham is often included.

This adds a touch of saltiness that further improves the eating experience. We all know people can get fussy about pizza toppings; even the simple act of adding pineapple to pizza causes serious debates to break out on social media. But we could all take a lesson from the Swedes on this one and be a little more adventurous with our food.

After all, you've got nothing to lose — and a whole lot to gain — by trying a banana and curry pizza. Recommended.