The more I learn about southern Italian cuisine the bigger the differences I see between that and northern cuisine. And, to be honest, nothing surprises me. I was recently taught this recipe by a good friend of mine from Naples and it’s already become one of my go-to favourites. As the name suggests―maccheroni in Italian is used to refer to pasta in general rather than a specific kind―this can me made with any type of pasta. In fact, it’s often used as a way of using up leftovers. I already knew that you could make delicious arancini with leftover risotto to avoid re-heating (and therefore overcooking and ruining) the rice. But this recipe is the same with pasta. Alternatively, as with this recipe, you can cook the pasta specially and just enjoy eating the dish for its own sake.
The method itself is very simple. Take your leftover, or pre-cooked pasta, and coat it in a mixture of eggs and cheese. Add any other ingredients to the mix and then fry for 15 minutes on each side. Depending on the size of your pan, it can be quite an effort to turn it over—and messy, because there will still be some residual oil in the pan. My friend told me that if you have a small pan you could make little individual ones which is also an attractive way to serve it. Make sure you use plenty of oil since you want the pasta to go nice and crispy. He often burns his a little since that way people won’t mind him eating the crispy bit all to himself!
The frittata di maccheroni is delicious hot but can also be served cold. My friend told me that in the summer people often cook it and then take cold slices to eat for lunch at the beach. If only I’d known about it before the autumn started! You can also cut it into cubes, pierce with cocktail sticks, and serve it as finger food for an aperitivo or party. The possibilities are endless.
If you don’t like the idea of frying then you can make it in the oven. It’s delicious if you layer the pasta and then alternate with provolone cheese and salami (or fillings of your choice). 180°C (355°F) for half an hour should do the trick. You might want to place it under a hot grill for a couple of minutes to brown the top even more.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this campanian classic. Something tells me that there will be a lot more southern Italian food gracing this blog very soon.
Buon appetito!
Ingredients
Instructions
I’ve missed you, Luca!
Thank you for this….it would be a great way to reheat (ha ha) leftover Carbonara. No extra ingredients needed except the oil for frying. Pet the Tuscan cat for me.
Thank you! My summer break was a little longer than intended but it feels great to be back. Yes that would work, although I’d be tempted to add a couple of eggs to bind it together since the ones from the carbonara would already be cooked. I’m afraid I have some bad news in that the Tuscan cat disappeared a little while ago. We were hoping he’d return but … that’s life in the country I’m afraid. Hope all is well with you .
The Tuscan cat may still reappear. I had a cat who was gone for a month. And I just read about a cat that was found alive in the rubble of his owner’s home in Amatrice 32 days after the earthquake. But you are also correct about living in the countryside. Cities have their own hazards.
Oh my.. I am going to have to try this over the weekend. This sounds so good, and so very easy. Thanks Luca!!!
Italian food in general is simple but delicious, but the more I learn about southern food the more true it becomes. Let me know how it turns out. Thanks!
This would make an excellent Aperitivo 😉
It certainly did 🙂
Che aspetto magnifico deve essere buonissima grazie Luca sei stato bravissimo
Grazie Ciro. Posso dire che tu sei l’amico? 😉
Lo hai fatto
Thanks this will really help with the diet (not!) 🙂 sounds good though. I need a light starter for before a roast leg of lamb with salad and little roast veg for next Saturday. It’s spring in Oz, any ideas Luca? xx
There’s a recipe for carpaccio di zucchini a few months back that’s delicious.
I will search for that, thank you Luca. Sounds good!
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