The Best Dishes of Naples and Amalfi Coast
Pizza Margherita (Naples)
Neapolitan pizza is undoubtedly the symbolic dish of Naples, and Pizza Margherita is the most famous of all. It is made with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and a soft dough base cooked in a wood-fired oven. Its simplicity and balance of flavors are unsurpassed. Margherita Pizza is completely vegetarian, with a basic dough, tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. Margherita Pizza can also be prepared with gluten-free dough, making it suitable for those who are intolerant to gluten.
Pasta alla Genovese (Naples)
Although the name may suggest a Ligurian origin, Pasta alla Genovese is a typical dish of Neapolitan cuisine. The preparation involves a ragù of onions and beef that cooks for a long time, until it becomes a rich and tasty sauce. It is usually seasoned with ziti or short pasta. It is one of the most loved dishes by Neapolitans.
Sfogliatella (Naples)
For the sweet part, Sfogliatella is a must. It is a cake filled with ricotta, semolina and candied fruit, with a crispy puff pastry on the outside. There are two variations: the sfogliatella riccia, crispier and the sfogliatella frolla, with a softer dough. It is perfect for a Neapolitan breakfast! It is a rich and tasty dessert, perfect for vegetarians. Sfogliatella can also be prepared in a gluten-free version using alternative flours.
Limoncello and Delizie al Limone (Amalfi Coast)
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its lemons, which give life to extraordinary dishes and drinks. Limoncello, the lemon-based liqueur, is one of the most famous. In addition, Delizie al Limone is a typical dessert of the area, a soft cake with lemon cream, often covered with a sugary glaze.
Spaghetti alle Vongole (Amalfi Coast)
The Amalfi Coast is the kingdom of fresh fish, and one of the most typical dishes is Spaghetti alle Vongole. The preparation is simple, but the flavor is exceptional: spaghetti with clams, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chili pepper and a touch of fresh parsley. Spaghetti alle Vongole can be prepared with gluten-free pasta, remaining a fresh and tasty dish.
Parmigiana di Melanzane (Naples and Amalfi Coast)
A dish that runs through the whole of Campania, Parmigiana di Melanzane is one of the most beloved comfort foods. The aubergines are fried, then alternated with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan, and finally baked in the oven. Each family has its own version, but they are all irresistible! It is a vegetarian dish.
Frittura di Paranza (Amalfi Coast)
Another dish that represents coastal cuisine is Frittura di Paranza, which consists of a mixed fried fish (anchovies, sardines, calamari, shrimp) all fresh, lightly floured and fried in boiling oil. It is a simple dish, but it expresses the bond with the sea to the maximum. If prepared with gluten-free flour, the frittura di paranza is also suitable for those who avoid gluten.
Risotto alla Pescatora (Amalfi Coast)
Risotto alla Pescatora is a rice dish with a sauce rich in seafood, including shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari. The risotto is cooked in a fish broth, with garlic, oil, parsley and a pinch of chili pepper. Freshness and flavor of the sea are at the heart of this dish.
Ragù Napoletano (Naples)
The Neapolitan ragù is a true institution of Neapolitan cuisine, and it is a dish that requires time and patience to be prepared. It is a rich sauce, made with beef (often rib eye or beef pulp) and tomato, cooked slowly for many hours. The result is a thick and tasty sauce, perfect for seasoning pasta, usually short pasta like ziti or paccheri, but fusilli or rigatoni are also excellent.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina (Amalfi Coast)
You can't fail to mention gnocchi alla sorrentina, a typical dish of the coast, with potato gnocchi topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil, and then baked au gratin. It is one of the dishes that perfectly embodies the simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine. Each dish tells a story and immerses you in the beauty and culture of these two wonderful areas. It is a vegetarian dish.
Discover Neapolitan and Amalfi Coast culinary gems like pizza and gnocchi at MaMa Florence! Check our schedule for a taste of southern Italy!
