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PhrasesDietary RestrictionsSenza pomodoro, per favore.
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Senza pomodoro, per favore.

Without tomato, please.

Pronunciation

po-mo-DOH-ro — stress on third syllable. Four syllables, each vowel distinct.

When to use it

Use if allergic to nightshades or following a low-acid diet. Tomato is ubiquitous in Italian cooking, so this restriction requires careful navigation of the menu.

What it means

Tomato (pomodoro, literally 'golden apple') arrived in Italy from the Americas in the 16th century and became central to Italian cuisine. Many classic sauces — marinara, arrabbiata, amatriciana — are tomato-based.

Variations

Sono allergico al pomodoro.

I am allergic to tomato.

Medical framing for allergy, not preference.

Niente salsa di pomodoro.

No tomato sauce.

Specifically excluding sauce, not fresh tomato.

Avete pizza bianca?

Do you have white pizza?

Pizza without tomato sauce — a practical alternative.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Senza pomodoro, per favore. Sono allergica. Cameriere: Va bene. Per la pasta possiamo fare aglio e olio o panna. Cliente: Aglio e olio, grazie. E la pizza? Cameriere: Abbiamo la pizza bianca con mozzarella e prosciutto.

Client: Without tomato, please. I'm allergic. Waiter: Of course. For pasta we can make garlic and oil or cream. Client: Garlic and oil, thank you. And pizza? Waiter: We have white pizza with mozzarella and ham.

Cultural Note

Pizza bianca (white pizza) and pizza bianca al prosciutto are legitimate Italian pizza styles without tomato sauce. In Rome, pizza bianca is a flatbread snack eaten all day, spread with olive oil and sea salt.