4-17-2022 7:10pm

Pastiera Napoletana

Christine Larkin Editor

Preparing Easter dinner is a sacred ritual, and this year I made Lasagna and served Pastiera Napoletana for dessert. My ancestors are from Naples, so I wanted a traditional Neapolitan Pasqua (Easter). I wasn't sure what I would serve for dessert until an Italian language professor from Tuscany told me about this decadent dolce (dessert) after she found out I was Neapolitan. We met at the Multicultural Gala this past Wednesday at Farmingdale State College where she's also a volunteer on the committee. I had never heard of Pastiera Napoletana before. She said to me with her impassioned Italian accent, "Oh, you must get it. Go to Pat's in East Islip. They should have it." So, I woke up early Saturday morning and headed to Pat's just a short distance from my home. I walked in and headed straight to the bakery in the back of the store. There it was in a white box with a cellophane top. Pastiera Napoletana is a staple in Italy served on Easter Sunday. I grabbed one like a bandito (bandit) and walked brisky to the register. A nice woman let me go ahead of her, and we had a friendly chat about my newly discovered Italian delight.

The ancient legend tells the story of the mermaid Parthenope, who created this dessert and is considered the mythological founder of Naples. During her spring stay in the Gulf of Naples, she cheered the people with a song. As a sign of gratitude, the Neapolitans gave Parthenope seven gifts, including:

Ricotta, a symbol of abundance
Flour, a symbol of wealth
Eggs, a symbol of fertility
Wheat in milk, a symbol of the fusion of the animal and vegetable kingdoms
Sugar, to celebrate the sweet song of Parthenope
Spice, a tribute to all people
And orange flowers, the perfume of the Campania earth

Parthenope then brought these gifts to the gods, who were impressed and mixed the ingredients to create the Pastiera Napoletana. Parthenope was then compelled to return to where she had received the gifts to pay tribute to the Neapolitan people.

A legend is a story coming down from the past, especially one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable. Whether this legend is verifiable or not, Pastiera Napoletana is real. On the heels of Lasagna, it put this girl into a food coma. What a sweet place to be.

Spero che ti sia piaciuto il tuo pasto pasquale (I hope you enjoyed your Easter meal). Ciao!

Peace and Love,

Skylark

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I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write short, poetic articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, and daily life in and around Bay Shore. Please subscribe to my free newsletter that will be delivered directly to your email each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. To support the SLTN community, you can make a recurring monthly donation as a Friend ($5) or Advocate ($15). You can also advertise your business or event here. It's easy and convenient to do. I am also an advocate for people 60 and beyond. These years can be transformative, but they require focus, determination, and planning. I have a first Monday-of-the-month motivational vlog that is designed to inspire people to thrive as they age through knowledge and self-awareness. Please follow me on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.