Campania · Napoli

Pizza di scarola

This page should make someone want Naples before Christmas, when a so-called lean table feels like a secret feast.

Geo AHistory CRitual AMethod A

Origin place card

Napoli e Campania costiera

Verified history

The source says it was traditionally a Christmas Eve 'lean' dish; no first-attestation date is given.

Ingredients

Bread dough enclosing escarole (or 'jeta' chard) sauteed with garlic/onion, chilli, salted anchovy; coastal: capers and olives.

Method

Escarole boiled, drained, sauteed; enclosed between two bread-dough layers, top crimped and pricked; baked until golden.

Ritual / calendar

Traditionally Christmas Eve ('vigilia di Natale').

Why travel for it

This page should make someone want Naples before Christmas, when a so-called lean table feels like a secret feast.

Editorial warning

Do not market it as generic spinach pie. The Christmas Eve magro context is essential. | History limited to its Christmas Eve role; no dated attestation.

Fieldwork questions

Interview families on whether pizza di scarola is baked on 23 or 24 December and how long it rests before serving.