Pepperoni

Pepperoni, or peperoni, is essentially a variety of air-dried salami that derives its name from the word “pepper,” alluding to the spicy red pepper that is its principal spice. Pepperoni’s origins can be traced to ancient Roman times, when butchers chopped and dried mixtures of meat and fat, which had been seasoned with black pepper and other spices, to make a food that was convenient for soldiers to eat during marches. In modern times, Italian immigrants introduced pepperoni to the United States, where pepperoni is rarely consumed alone; it is most commonly served on pizzas. Pizzerias were established in New York around the 1900s, and pepperoni and cheese were tied as the favorite toppings. More than a century later, pepperoni still heads the list of toppings for pizza.