User:NoahRiffe/Altoona-style pizza

Altoona-style pizza is a distinct type of pizza created in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania by the Altoona Hotel. The definitive characteristics of Altoona-style pizza are a sicilian-style pizza dough, tomato sauce, sliced green bell pepper, salami, topped with american cheese and pizzas cut into squares instead of wedges.

Crust
The crust is comprised of a sicilian-style pizza dough yielding the pie with a thick and soft crust. Instead of the larger pie-like wedges typical of many pizza styles, Altoona Hotel pizza is typically cut into squares.

Cheese
Altoona-style pizza is topped with yellow processed cheese known as American cheese. The yellow squares of American cheese are a staple of this dish used instead of the mozzarella or provolone common to other styles of pizza.

Toppings
The traditional toppings included on a slice of Altoona-style pizza is a sliced green bell pepper and cooked deli style salami with peppercorns.

History
Altoona-style pizza originated at the Altoona Hotel and was created by Italian immigrants who wanted pizza but lacked access to sufficient ingredients to make the dish in a traditional manner.