Bursts of inspiration, we haven’t had a lot of them, at least I haven’t. My husband, on the other hand, has been having a lot of fun in the kitchen, much of it is due to nostalgia for the tastes of home, but his inspiration hasn’t been limited to the Bay of Naples alone, this, however, is strictly napoletano and can be found in an Neapolitan pizzeria or friggitoria.

We’ve always loved frittate di maccheroni, whenever there is pasta leftover it will always be made into a frittata, Napoli’s genius method of not letting any food go to waste. We spent a lot of time in Naples when we were living in Puglia, a lot more time than I had ever spent when we were living in Tuscany and Rome. On our trips I had the chance to get to know the city and the food in ways that I hadn’t had the chance to do before. One of my great discoveries were le frittatine di pasta, little fritters of pasta made with ham, peas and bechamel, so delicious. After a stroke of homesickness my husband made them one weekend and I’m hoping her will make them again sometime soon.

There is a lot of process to this recipe, a lot of Neapolitan food involves process, but just like most things that take a little extra sweat, these were so worth the effort. The next time he makes them we will have to invite friends over to savour them with us.

Frittatine di Pasta Napoletane

• 350 g (3/4 lb) of bucatini
• 250 g (1/2 lb) of ham cut into small cubes
• 300 g (10 oz.) peas
• 1 tbsp of onion, minced
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 300 g (10 oz.) smoked mozzarella cut into small cubes
• 50 g (2 oz.) grated parmigiano reggiano
• pepper to taste

for the bechamel:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
  
• salt and pepper to taste

for the batter:

• 1/2 L (2 cups) of cold water
• 300 g (around 3 cups) of flour
• salt to taste
• Vegetable Oil for frying

Break the bucatini into 4 pieces and boil them in salted water, removing them from the water when they are very al dente.

For the bechamel, heat the butter over medium heat in a heavy saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, until smooth and bubbling, but not browned. It should have the texture of wet sand. Whisk in the milk all at once and bring to a simmer, whisking all the while, until the mixture begins to thicken. Turn the heat to very low and simmer, stirring often with a whisk and scraping the bottom and edges of the pan with a rubber spatula, for 10 to 15 minutes, until the sauce is thick and has lost its raw-flour taste. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a small pan and saute the minced onion, add the peas and cook them for about 10 minutes over low-medium heat.

Combine the bucatini with the bechamel, ham, smoked mozzarella, peas, parmigiano and a pinch of pepper. Mix it together well and pour it into a shallow baking dish, distribute in a way to create an even level, cover and place in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.

After the pasta has rested in the fridge start to heat up the oil for frying and start to make the timballini of pasta. Take a biscuit cutter or a small cup and cut the pasta into small round forms or timballini. Mix the batter together. Submerge the pasta rounds into the batter, covering them completely and fry in the hot oil until golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

One Year Ago: Orecchiette With Grated Squash, Walnuts and Ricotta Salata

Two Years Ago: Insalata di Calamari, Cicoria Selvatica e le Polpettine, Roasted Fennel with Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Garlic and Olive Oil, Ricotta Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Marjoram, Tonarelli con Pesce Spada e Radicchio, Pork Chops with Cardoncelli Mushrooms, Carbonara with Roasted Cauliflower, Mormora & Cavatelli with Beets, Cacioricotta and Pistachios

Three Years Ago: Fancy Pasta with Grated Fennel, Lemon and Orata, Risotto with Orata, Leeks, Sundried Tomatoes and Saffron, Zuppa di Pesce, Risotto alla Zuppa di Pesce, Rape Selvatiche, Chicken with 28 Cloves of Garlic, Pickled Shrimp, Farfalle With Stewed Fennel, Artichokes and Peas, Risotto with sole, toasted almonds and roasted tomatoes, Cape Town, Kosher for Easter, Spaghetti con Seppie e Asparagelle, Pansotti al brasato e carciofi, Cime di Rape Affogate al Vino & Linguini with Fresh Shelled Peas and Calamari

Four Years Ago: Trattoria al Gambero, Porto Cesareo (LE), I Secondi della Lanternaia, L’Antro, Crispiano (TA), Mure delle Pietre Secche, Casa di Nonna, Signs of Spring, Catalogna, Puntarelle Pugliesi, Carciofi Carciofi Carciofi & Pasqua Napoletana

Five Years Ago: Reezy Peezy, Kale with Cannellini and Polenta, Shrimp and Grits alla Mediterranea, Spaghetti Squash all’Aglio e Olio, Agnolotti al Brasato, Penne with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel, Pureed Potato and Broccoli Soup, Funghi Trifecta Risotto, Funghi Trifecta Risotto Croquettes, Flounder and Fennel filled Mezzelune with Salsa di Pistacchi, Mantecato of Flounder and Fennel over Gemelli with Pistachios, Cavolfiore alle Olive, Wahoo with Citrus and Pistachios & Ziti with Grilled Sausages and Ricotta

Six Years Ago: Herb Egg Salad, Lentil Tomato Soup, Spaghetti alla Gricia, Sweet Potatoes Wrapped in Sage and Prosciutto, Squash and Chickpea Moroccan Stew, Ziti alla Sorrentina, Chili and Honey Chicken Legs with Braised Collards, Mint, Spinach and Ricotta Frittata, Pastiera & Spaghetti alle Sarde con Erbette

Seven Years Ago: Farfalle with Portobello Mushrooms, Frittata di Maccheroni, Asparagus and Spinach Risotto, Chicken Tikka with Pomegranate Couscous Salad, Pot Stickers, La Carbonara, Chicken Thighs with Saffron, Green Olives & Mint, Tiramisu, Spaghetti with Scallops, Gumbo Ya Ya, Gemelli with Tuna, Raisins, Pine Nuts & Capers, Salsicce e Friarielli, Pizzette, Ravioli con Ragù Napoletano, Ragù Napoletano and Grits, Farfalle with Salmon and Fennel, Soba Noodles With Tofu, Shiitake Mushrooms & Broccoli, Pesto, Gemelli with Fennel & Bacon, Salsa di Pistacchi, Tzatziki Potato Salad, Beet and Blood Orange Salad, Red Snapper alla Ligure, Pork Loin Stuffed with Figs, Jim Lahey’s No-Knead Bread, Morningside Farmers Market, Atlanta GA, No-Knead Pizza Dough, Risotto with Scallops, Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes, Cornbread Dressing, Collard Greens, Southern Cheese Biscuits, Macaroni and Cheese, Gemelli with Asparagus and Roasted Tomatoes, Insalata di Farro with Beets and Feta Cheese, Apricot, Fig and Pistachio Haroseth & Carciofi alla Romana

~ by italicious on April 13, 2016.

Posted in antipasti, Campania, frittata, frittura, pasta, peas, prosciutto
Tags: antipasti, bucatini, Campania, frittura, ham, Napoli, pasta