Pastiera
Pastiera is a traditional Neapolitan Italian cake made during the Easter period. It is a type of ricotta cheese pie that is flavored with orange flower water and filled with cooked wheat berries, eggs, and sugar. The dish is particularly associated with the city of Naples and is a staple in many Neapolitan households during the Easter celebrations.
History[edit | edit source]
The origins of Pastiera can be traced back to ancient times, with some sources suggesting that it was originally a pagan offering to celebrate the arrival of spring. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a beloved Easter dessert in Naples. The modern version of Pastiera is believed to have been created in a Neapolitan convent, where nuns would prepare the cake to symbolize the resurrection of Christ.
Ingredients[edit | edit source]
The main ingredients of Pastiera include:
- Ricotta
- Cooked wheat berries
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Orange flower water
- Candied fruit
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
Preparation[edit | edit source]
The preparation of Pastiera involves several steps: 1. Preparing the dough: A sweet shortcrust pastry is made using flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. 2. Cooking the wheat: The wheat berries are cooked until tender and then mixed with milk, sugar, and lemon zest. 3. Making the filling: The ricotta is combined with sugar, eggs, orange flower water, and candied fruit. 4. Assembling the cake: The cooked wheat mixture is folded into the ricotta mixture, and the filling is poured into the pastry shell. Strips of dough are placed on top in a lattice pattern. 5. Baking: The cake is baked until golden brown and then allowed to cool before serving.
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
Pastiera is more than just a dessert; it is a symbol of Neapolitan culture and tradition. It is often prepared in large quantities and shared with family and friends. The cake is typically made a few days before Easter to allow the flavors to meld together.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Categories[edit | edit source]
 | This Italian-cuisine article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
This Italian cuisine related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
