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Neapolitan cuisine is a product
and reflection of the various
civilizations which have influenced
the culinary tradition in this
region throughout the history
including Spanish, Moorish and
French among others. It was here
that three of the emblematic Italian
dishes were invented, namely pizza,
tomato sauce and macaroni. Nowhere
can you savor the authentic flavor
of Neapolitan pizza as intensely as
in its birthplace. The most famous
is Pizza Margherita, which
traditionally is made with
mozzarella, tomato and fresh Basil
leaves. The exotic pasta dishes here
include the highly delectable
recipes such as Zuppa di
soffritto (fried soup), Pasta
ammiscata (soup made of the
combination of the leftovers of
different kinds of pasta), and Timballo
di maccheroni (macaroni cooked
in a mould).
Naples has also created many
specialties with the fruits they
have harpooned from the sea. The
opulence of seafood has given rise
to dishes such as Zuppa di
vongole (clam soup), Impepata
di cozze (spicy mussels), mixed
seafood salads, grilled and fried
fish as well as spaghetti served
with various seafood sauces. Its
celebrated classical desserts
include Pastiera (a cake made
with sweet pastry and ricotta
cheese), Neapolitan Babà (a
cake drenched in syrup and rum or
limoncello) and Sfogliatelle (triangular-shaped
pastries). These pastries are best
complemented by the rich-bodied and
aromatic Neapolitan coffee
which is brewed with a special
coffee-maker and involves a few
technical tricks that are familiar
to all the Neapolitans.
Wines produced in Naples and its
immediate neighbors are also of
superb quality. Some recommended
white wines are Capri, Greco
di Tufo, and Lacrima Christi.
For red wines, try Lacrima
Christi red, Greco nero,
and Sangiovese.
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