So I was reading through the latest issue of Backpacker Magazine, and an article mentioned packing in cold pizza for on-the-trail meals. No real details were given about how long it'd stay good, or what kind of toppings were better, or if a fruit like pineapple belongs on pizza, or if the square- or pie-shape fits better the human hand or intellect or sensibility, or if using a fork would be refined or ridiculous, but it did get me thinking...

Has anyone brought in (already cooked) cold pizza for meals in the BWCA/Q? My initial response is that it seems like a good idea for some early-trip meals, especially since (only in college, I swear!) I've eaten pizza that's sat on the counter for, I dunno, a few days without any ill effects.

I realize time of year/temperature would matter, but how long do you think it'd be good?

Sounds like a good trail lunch for the first day. Probably would work for longer than that.

Yes on pineapple!

quote andym: "Sounds like a good trail lunch for the first day. Probably would work for longer than that.
Yes on pineapple!"

cold pizza is gross! that said, if you were eating it the same day it might be okay. i don't think i'd keep it any longer without it being kept cold enough. we have taken sub sandwiches for the first lunch or pre-made a lunch kit and put it inside but right on top of all the food so there would be no digging for anything. Pizza is a fun meal to make over a fire. and definitely pineapple! and black olives!

pizza is best cut into squares, you get "more" pieces that way and can cut them into smaller sizes for ease of holding. pie, on the other hand, should be cut in pie-shaped wedges.

Sure why not take it. Anything can be kept somewhat cold for a day with a bit of ingenuity. We have a small soft side cooler that we have taken foods in and then just put some ice in a Ziploc bag for it or frozen a small block of ice in a Glad Tupperware type container and put it in a Ziploc bag. No ice just pack it well by insulating it with clothing or other soft goods gear. I probably would not go past a day without any refrigeration/ice.

Sounds like a great idea!
Because the only thing better then cold pizza is hot pizza.

I would think it would need to be eaten on the first day out.

Apparently these guys just bought an extra large pizza every time they went through a town while on their twin cities to Hudson Bay trip. Then they bought four on the way out of Winnipeg and ended up eating some of it moldy because they didn't have enough other food to throw it away. Link

Man, two of three responses advocate putting fruit on pizza? You people are weird.

Bring my old college couch with you. Pizza stayed good under that thing.
By far the best way to reheat pizza is to spread butter on both sides and put it in a frying pan and do it as you would a grilled cheese sandwich.

good idea.

quote carmike: "Man, two of three responses advocate putting fruit on pizza? You people are weird. "

No tomatoes? Tomatoes are a fruit after all.

quote carmike: "Man, two of three responses advocate putting fruit on pizza? You people are weird. "

No tomatoes? Tomatoes are a fruit after all.

quote carmike: "Man, two of three responses advocate putting fruit on pizza? You people are weird. "

No tomatoes? Tomatoes are a fruit after all.

I think that Cold pizza is just as good as hot. Would I bring it on a trip? Probably not.

quote billconner: "

quote carmike: "Man, two of three responses advocate putting fruit on pizza? You people are weird. "

No tomatoes? Tomatoes are a fruit after all."

In a legal context, I am forced to disagree. Check out the Nix v. Hedden Supreme Court case. (Seriously...this issue has actually gone to the SCOTUS, in this case re: a tariff dispute.)

I LOVE cold pizza!! That said, I would not pack it in. Frankly, i love pizza so much, there is virtually never any left over to stash in the fridge.

I have packed cold pizza into the BWCA. Warmed up on the grate night1. It was awesome.

In college I used to buy two pizzas at a time.
One was eaten at the pizza shop.
The second one went back to the dorm and was stored in the top of my closet for consumption the next day (or two).
I never got ill doing that.

That said . . . .
I wouldn't do it now
and I wouldn't bother with the hassle of taking it on a trip.
I would rather try making fresh.

Real pizza must have a tomato based sauce and pepperoni.
Simply because something is round, cut into pie shapes,
and has some sort of paste and toppings doesn't make it pizza.
For example: desert pizza, Hawaiian pizza, BBQ pizza, cheese burger pizza.
Some may think they are good but they ain't pizza. LOL

quote carmike: "

quote billconner: "

quote carmike: "Man, two of three responses advocate putting fruit on pizza? You people are weird. "

No tomatoes? Tomatoes are a fruit after all."

In a legal context, I am forced to disagree. Check out the Nix v. Hedden Supreme Court case. (Seriously...this issue has actually gone to the SCOTUS, in this case re: a tariff dispute.)"

I was speaking scientifically. Overrides legalese for me.

Pizza is pretty easy to make out there with tortillas, spray butter, squeeze bottle sauce, small packages of pepperoni, bags of shredded cheese, and some onions and peppers. Yummy!

Bears love pizza..... and their little brothers, mice, do too!

quote Dbldppr1250: "Pizza is pretty easy to make out there with tortillas, spray butter, squeeze bottle sauce, small packages of pepperoni, bags of shredded cheese, and some onions and peppers. Yummy!
"

+1 sounds much more enjoyable !

Yeah, but if the box gets wet the pizza will be ruined.

I've thought about bringing in a pizza box for the pizza I make in my JMO. Make it a more authentic experience. :)

quote billconner: "I've thought about bringing in a pizza box for the pizza I make in my JMO. Make it a more authentic experience. :)"

no need to bring in a box - use folded tortilla shells for the crust, sprayed with butter and grilled on your camp oven with goodies inside, then turn over and grill again.

quote Dbldppr1250: "

quote billconner: "I've thought about bringing in a pizza box for the pizza I make in my JMO. Make it a more authentic experience. :)"

no need to bring in a box - use folded tortilla shells for the crust, sprayed with butter and grilled on your camp oven with goodies inside, then turn over and grill again."

I do quesadillas too, but pizza has a raised crust. Plus, the pizza dough mix makes great fry pan bread at a tenth of the cost of trail food fry pan breads.

I guess I could pick up a hotsy potsy pizza from vi's in biwabik. Frozen, then bring a reflector oven. Num

I really don't care for cold pizza. Hot Broadway or nuttin'...

I love cold pizza, esspecially for breakfast! What a great idea. I also enjoy making pizza in camp, but hot and cold pizza are two different food groups in my book.

You hippies can keep your fruit to yourselves...keep it off my za. Best cut into squares but if you must have a pie shape (I'm nothing if not tolerant), don't forget the honey to dip the left over crust into. Once dated a nice lady who would lift off the toppings, scraped off all the sauce and replace the toppings to the crust. We didn't last.

JimmyJ... That must have been quite the ordeal. Extra sauce for you...

I like a variety myself including the hawian. It would be a great trail snack, especially if you could make it last a few days.

Yes. First day meal only unless we have dry ice in the barrel!

Our groups always have "pizza night" the last night in camp. We bring in pre-made pizza crusts (individual size) , spread on the marinara and toppings and put in dutch ovens. No need for cold pizza when you can eat pizza right out of the oven! Takes about 5 minutes a pizza.