One of the main Neapolitan dishes ideal for Easter
The Easter season is almost upon us and maybe you’re also wondering what to eat in Naples. If you are in this situation, the article you are reading is just what you were looking for. In fact, for the food & wine column, I will present one of the most typical Neapolitan dishes, namely the Neapolitan casatiello. This is one of the best known Italian savory pies and is prepared in the best Neapolitan bakeries. I will also recommend where to eat this exquisite dish in Naples.
What is casatiello
The casatiello is a savoury pie that has been prepared since ancient times in the territory of the city of Naples. It consists precisely in a pie filled with every type of ingredient. The original recipe includes bacon, salami, hard-boiled eggs and provolone. To this you can add any other ingredient you want. Its main characteristic is that it remains soft for many days. This is due to the presence of the suet in the dough. Tradition has it that it is consumed on the evening of Holy Saturday.
Its origins
This dish has a long history in fact the first evidence dates back to 1600. Giambattista Basile, a scholar who lived between 1566 and 1632, describes this food at the king’s table. Its origin is however to be traced back to the lower classes of the population. Over time, its production has been closely linked to the celebration of Easter. This is due to its shape that recalls the crown of thorns and to the decoration with eggs that are a typical Easter symbol.
Here’s another thing: the name comes from the word caseus which means cheese because of the large amount of this ingredient it contains. If you are still wondering what to eat in Naples the casatiello is what you were looking for. This is one of the Italian savory pies that are traditionally prepared for Easter. If you’re wondering where to eat in Naples the answer is the Neapolitan bakeries. Here you can find this pie that is one of the typical Neapolitan dishes.
The original recipe is so good
There are many possible variations to make this dish. The original recipe however requires:
• 400 g of 100% whole wheat flour
• 400 g of 00 flour
• 500 g of water
• 2 cubes of brewer’s yeast
• 125 ml of oil
• 100 g of grated cheese
• 300 g of salami
• 200 g mortadella
• 250g of spicy provolone
• 2 teaspoons of black pepper
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 6 eggs.
Its preparation involves placing the flour on a flat surface and adding pepper, salt, oil, grated cheese, yeast dissolved in a glass of water and sugar. At this point it is necessary to mix it adding the water little by little until obtaining a smooth and elastic type of dough. After leaving it to rest for about 1 hour and a half it is possible to spread it on the work surface and then proceed to adding the desired filling. All that remains is to close it and place it in a donut pan. Then put in the oven at 165 degrees for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Where to buy it
Just think: even today there are many bakeries that prepare this traditional dish for the Easter holidays. One of these is the Grieco bakery. This is located in the historic center of Naples and precisely in Viale Michelangelo 28. Here in addition to finding the typical Neapolitan desserts you can also buy this typical Easter cake. In this bakery you can find the casatiello prepared according to the ancient Neapolitan recipe.
As you can see there are many curiosities about this typical Neapolitan dish that is among the Italian pies most suitable for the Easter holiday. Are you satisfied? Now that you know where to eat in Naples and in particular what to eat in Naples you just have to order your Neapolitan casatiello in one of the best Neapolitan bakeries!
