The ABC's of Campania Food & Wine: S
The ABC's of Campania Food & Wine: S
S is for Sfogliatelle and Sannio DOC
S is for Sfogliatelle:
This sweet symbol of Naples is seen all over Italy and is as popular today as it was 400 years ago. The sfogliatella (singular of sfogliatelle: sfol-ee-ah-tell-eh) is a filled pastry with a characteristic seashell shape and a cascade of delicate ridges, which form as the layers of dough separate during baking. The dough is similar to puff pastry or phyllo. The sfogliatella is filled with a traditional mixture of sweetened ricotta cream, semolina and cinnamon, with optional lemon or orange zest brightening the creaminess. The non-traditional vanilla cream filling can be found in other areas of Italy. This dessert is perfect for breakfast, afternoon snack, after meal dessert or just about any time of the day.
Like many typical products, the sfogliatella has a colorful, multi-storied history of its origins. One version states that the dessert was first baked on the Amalfi Coast in the Santa Rosa convent, arriving in Naples later. Another story goes that the dessert was created in the early 1600s in the Carmelite convent of Santa Croce di Lucca in Naples. A nun, using leftovers of semolina, added the ricotta, sugar and candied lemon or orange, and then baked it in a pastry crust. The result was a shape similar to a monk’s hood. Desserts such as this were commonly baked in convents, especially during the Renaissance period when such pastries were baked for royal families. The Santa Croce convent was particular in that certain rich daughters of Prince Cellemare, who had donated a large sum of money to the convent, were allowed visits from the outside world (most convents did not allow contact from beyond the nunnery). In this way, the sfogliatella was carried to the Santa Rosa convent where it was well-received, to Naples and beyond.
touring information:
You can find sfogliatelle just about anywhere in Italy. In Naples, they are sure to be of high quality and authentically made, and every cafe will sell them. Here are a few widely popular cafes of Naples: Pasticceria Bellavia New opening: Via Pigna, 180 - Napoli 80128 via Luca Giordano, 158 - Napoli 80128 Tel +39-081-578-9684 Piazza Vanvitelli, 16 – Napoli 80128 Tel +39-081-372-3376 Laboratory: Via Pigna, 182/c – Napoli 80128 Tel +39-081-579-5915 Email: info@bellavia.it Antico Forno delle Sfogliatelle Calde Fratelli Attanasio Vico Ferrovia 1/2/3/4, 80142 Naples Tel +39-081-285-675 Gran Caffe Grambrinus Via Chiaia, 1-2, 80132 Naples Tel: +39-081-417-582 If you can't make it to Naples in time to satisfy your sfogliatelle craving, here is a recipe.
S is for Sannio DOC:
Sannio refers to a region of Campania that was awarded its DOC status in 1997. The large zone comprises of 80 communes and the entire province of Benevento. Why is it called Sannio? This land is that of the ancient Samnites, a pre-Roman people who flourished in the heart of Campania. They produced a wine that was enjoyed by several historical figures: Pliny, Columella, Catone and Horace. Sannio wine must come from the vineyards dotting the hills of the area, which has optimal soil and climate conditions for grapevine cultivation. The valleys of Sannio are not within the regulated area, because the temperature is too humid to contribute to a high-quality wine. The D.O.C. regulations of Sannio encourage wine production from the traditional Samnium grapes: Aglianico, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Sciascinoso (or Ollivello), Piedirosso and Moscato. It also allows room for modern wine development with the production of a Greco and Falanghina blend. This wine uses a fairly new technique for wines: that of a second fermentation in the bottle for at least a year, which produces more alcohol and further develops and refines flavors and aromas. The end product is the Spumante Metodo Classico, a white or rosè sparkling wine with a dry, harmonious and fresh flavor.
Sources: Campania In Area Sannio DOC. Wein-Plus. Sannio D.O.C. Regione Campania Assessorato Agricoltura. Sannio Wine. Wine-searcher. Sfogliatelle: four hundred years of history but still fresh and hot. Itchefs. Sfogliatelle. Mangia Bene Pasta. Wines: Sannio DOC. Vinegusto.