The pistachio and mortadella pizza at Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone, Italy, Nov. 18, 2024. It features a Sicilian pistachio sauce, mortadella, smoked provola cheese and chopped pistachios topped with olive oil. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

When I was living in Italy for the first time just over 15 years ago, I learned that some restaurants put things on pizza that most Americans would never conceive of as a topping.

This time around, Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone challenged me to venture outside my comfort zone with a pair of unusual menu options, one that is on the pizza and another that’s in the dough.

The reward for my adventurousness at Peperino, which is about 25 minutes from Aviano Air Base, was finding a new favorite pizza. It was slathered in a green pistachio sauce instead of the usual marinara.

This nutty novelty initially had me questioning the wisdom of trying it. I decided to take the plunge and ordered the pistachio and mortadella, one of a couple of pie choices served with the green sauce. From the first bite, I was sold.

The pizza features Sicilian pistachio sauce, whole slices of mortadella, smoked provola cheese, chopped pistachios and extra virgin olive oil. The sauce used on the pizza is made from a pistachio cream and milk mixture.

Bruschetta and tomatoes is one of the appetizers at Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone, Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

The crunch of the nuts contrasted nicely with the soft texture of the cheese, and their natural saltiness complemented the cheese and meat well.

I enjoyed the pizza so much that I felt compelled to try another unusual Peperino offering: black dough infused with coal derived from the shells of coconuts.

According to their website, the black dough has detoxifying properties and enhances the flavor of the ingredients. Its coloration gives the appearance of a pizza that is burned to a crisp but has toppings that are baked just right.

The wood-fired oven at Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone, Italy, was built by hand by Neapolitan masters. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

All of Peperino’s pizzas can be ordered with the black dough. Other options include whole wheat, gluten-free, nine cereals and traditional. Speaking of traditional, the establishment bakes all its pies in a wood-fired oven.

For my test of the coal-infused dough, I ordered a Margherita pizza, figuring that one with a lot of toppings would make a taste comparison more difficult.

When I took my first bite, I didn’t taste any difference between the black dough and the traditional crust of my son’s cheese pizza. However, upon reaching the thicker part of the crust, I experienced a grittier texture, as if the dough hadn’t been mixed fully.

My experience with the black dough was still good, though, because it didn’t detract from the flavor. I would probably order it again just because of the uniqueness factor.

There was one part of my meal at Peperino that did not involve trying something out of the ordinary. Bruschetta is such a standby for me that I tend to order it whenever it’s listed on a menu.

The crispness of the bread and the sweetness of the tomatoes under a drizzle of olive oil make for a delightful mix. At Peperino, I was served four pieces of bruschetta, a portion size that allowed me to indulge yet still have room for the pizza.

Peperino’s menu also includes appetizers, pasta, fried items, salads, calzones and burgers with buns made from pizza dough.

In light of the pizza nirvana I found at Peperino’s, I absolutely do plan on returning. Next time, I think will try a burger or the fried pizza, maybe both if I take the family.

Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone, Italy, as seen Nov. 18, 2024. The restaurant is about 25 minutes from Aviano Air Base. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

Peperino Pizza and Grill

Address: Viale Franco Martelli 7, Pordenone, Italy

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 12-2:30 p.m. and 7-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Prices: Appetizers from 5-12 euros; pizzas range from 6-14 euros; pasta dishes range from 10-18 euros; burgers range from 9-15 euros

Information: Phone: +39 0434 311500, Online: peperinopizza.it/le-pizzerie/pordenone