Something different – Neapolitan – to mark Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday/Carnevale/Pancake Day)
Neapolitan
Neapolitan Classics: Simply Delicious Everyday Tomato Sauce
History Despite that tomatoes were only introduced to Italy in the mid-16th century, tomato sauce, or la salsa di pomodoro, is another staple of cucina povera, which literally translates to poor kitchen – peasant food. The first recipe for tomato-sauce-topped pasta and pizza appeared in 1779 in Antonio Nebbia’s cookbook Il Cuoco Maceratese. Today, the humble tomato sauce is ubiquitous,…
Neapolitan Classics: Vegan Baked Zeppole
Wales has St. David; England St. George; Scotland St. Andrew and Italy has a lot of other saints. One in particular stands out. On 19 March, Italians celebrate the feast day of St. Joseph and it is also Father’s Day. In Naples, we tend to celebrate events and feast days with pastries (ok and all…
Neapolitan Classics: Cross-Border Sweets – Roccocò – Sticky Toffee Pudding
There’s a moment in the film The Eagle, where our Roman Centurian hero wants to cross Hadrian’s Wall into deepest, bluest Scotland. The guard warns him that “no Roman can survive north of the wall.” I can tell you that is just not true. You just need to be attired appropriately and know how to make bridges in…
Neapolitan Classics: Melanzane a Funghetto — Neapolitan Aubergine/Eggplant
I adore this dish. It is classic Naples. You will find it made at home and in restaurants all over Campania. For me, it’s the taste of home; my soul food. This is not a light dish because the aubergine/eggplant are fried. No matter, just plan your calorie intake accordingly. The flavour is full bodied…
