The Silver Spoon Naples and the Amalfi Coast

Naples and the Amalfi Coast by The Silver Spoon Kitchen follows the success of Tuscany, Sicily and Puglia with just as stunning of a book. The coastline, markets and people of this region equal the beauty of its cuisine. 

From Torta Caprese Alle Noci (a chocolate walnut cake) to a Timpano Imbottito Di Scammaro (seafood timbale) – the Naples and Amalfi coast is brilliantly portrayed.

Chapters spotlight key produce and ingredients, from buffalo mozzarella from Benevento and tomatoes from San Marzano to lemons from Sorrento. I made the Lasagne Al Carciofi (lasagna with artichokes) when I first received the book and it was incredible.

Some titles from Phaidon can be intimidating, but the Silver Spoon collection is anything but – totally approachable recipes with inspiring photographs. Please remember Eat Your Book members receive 30% off Phaidon titles when using the link provided.

Special thanks to Phaidon for sharing the following recipe with our members. Be sure to head over to our contest page to win a copy of this book (open to US, Canada, UK and Australia).

ZEPPOLE NAPOLETANE
Neapolitan doughnuts

Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Makes: 10-12 doughnuts

Zeppole are one of the pastries traditionally made for the feast of Saint Joseph. In Campania, they are ring-shaped and garnished with cream and a cherry.

INGREDIENT
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 6 tablespoons (3 oz/80 g) butter or lard
• pinch of salt
• 1¾ cups (225 g) all-purpose (plain) flour, sifted
• 6 eggs
• grated zest of 1 lemon
• canola oil, for deep-frying

For serving

• powdered (icing) sugar
• cherry jam
• pastry cream

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the water, butter, and salt in a saucepan and bring almost to a boil, or until the butter is melted. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour all at once. Stir well with a wooden spoon, return the pan to medium-high heat, and continue to stir vigorously until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan. Pour the mixture into a bowl and leave to cool, about 5 minutes. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the lemon zest. Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag with round tip.

Pour enough oil to come halfway up the sides of a medium Dutch oven (casserole) or heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C). Pipe 2 tablespoons of batter onto a metal slotted spoon, creating a round, ball-like shape. Drop the spoon in the hot oil so that the doughnut rolls off the spoon. Repeat, frying 4 doughnuts at a time, turning the doughnuts over several times until they are golden brown, 1- 2 minutes per side. Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or dollop a spoonful of jam or pastry cream into the middle of the doughnut.
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27 Comments

  • heyjude  on  July 31, 2017

    The Amalfi Coast was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy.

  • Siegal  on  July 31, 2017

    I hope to see Italy one day

  • mindovermatter  on  August 1, 2017

    I have never been to Italy, but if I do go, I hope to try some fresh bombolonis!

  • sgump  on  August 1, 2017

    Alas, I have never been to Italy–but I do hope to visit someday.

  • lgroom  on  August 2, 2017

    A trip there is definitely on my bucket list. I had the pleasure of working in a fantastic Italian deli in Milwaukee so I've gotten to eat some mighty fine stuff.

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  August 2, 2017

    I've not yet been to Italy, but I would love to go there to eat.

  • bstewart  on  August 2, 2017

    I haven't been to Italy but it's at the top of my list!

  • DarcyVaughn  on  August 3, 2017

    I've been to Italy and my favorite meal was at Agriturismo La Pietriccia- panzanella, farotto, cinta senense pork, almost all ingredients grown or raised onsite.

  • lhudson  on  August 4, 2017

    Went to Italy when I was in High School and was more interested in shopping than food. Would love to go back and really experience the cuisine.

  • PennyG  on  August 5, 2017

    I haven't yet traveled to Italy – definitely on the short list!

  • FireRunner2379  on  August 6, 2017

    I've never visited Italy, my Great Grandparents immigrated from there and I was able to connect with some of my 3rd cousins on social media! I really hope to make it there someday.

  • RSW  on  August 6, 2017

    Yes. All of them.

  • Ordinaryblogger  on  August 7, 2017

    I was in italy as a child and remember the pizza. Would love to go back to sample more adult foods!

  • rchesser  on  August 7, 2017

    No, I've never been but hope to one day.

  • akrupnick  on  August 7, 2017

    Wine, bread, cheese, and salami on a hike in Sicily. 40 years later I still remember it vividly.

  • love2chow  on  August 9, 2017

    I visited Rome more than 10 years ago and would love to go back. The food was fabulous. My favorite meal was at Trattoria Der Pallaro, which was two doors down from my hotel. We paid a flat price per person (they counted our 10 and 5 year old as one person), and let them bring out a jug of red wine and multiple courses without knowing what they were going to be. It seemed to just have the husband and wife team cooking and serving, and they took the time to make the kids feel really special with mandarin orange nectar. Other favorites at restaurants where we could read the menu included fried zucchini blossoms, agnolotti (beef dumplings with cacio & pepe), marinated and fried eggplant – converted our whole family from eggplant haters to eggplant lovers, carciofi alla guidia (fried baby artichokes), tortellini with cream ham and peas, pear poached in red wine, and lots of gelato.

  • Jenamarie  on  August 9, 2017

    I am fortunate to have been to Italy 3 times. & I just returned from a 2 month study abroad trip for my Masters degree a few weeks ago!
    So many memorable meals, but truffle hunting and then creating recipes with the truffles was undoubtedly the most memorable experience.

  • JenJoLa  on  August 9, 2017

    I've been fortunate enough to go there. I think my most memorable meal was a chunky pasta with an herb sauce at a restaurant near our hotel in Rome.

  • abihamm  on  August 10, 2017

    I have never been able to visit Italy. Maybe someday I will be able to add my favorite meal….a girl can dream 🙂

  • LaurenE  on  August 13, 2017

    I had the most wonderful mushroom risotto in Florence. Amazing!

  • t.t  on  August 13, 2017

    I don't remember exactly what was served, but at a conference, they fed us dinner one night at a restaurant overlooking the Foro Romano. The view is what made the meal so memorable.

  • Nancith  on  August 14, 2017

    We visited Italy about 17 years ago. The Amalfi coast was not one of our destinations, but we had a fabulous meal at a vineyard/ olive grove in Tuscany; pasta with porcini in a luscious creamy sauce is the part I remember specifically. A lovely meal in a beautiful setting.

  • IngridO  on  August 14, 2017

    I was in Rome about 20 years ago, and beneath the pensione we were staying in was a little eatery. I tried pizza with eggplant for the first time, which I thought was heavenly. Also the portly gentleman that was behind the shop counter served it to me, folded over like a sandwich.

  • thecharlah  on  August 14, 2017

    I've never been…I have to experience it through cookbooks and restaurants.

  • artmarcia  on  September 1, 2017

    I have never been to Italy, but it is on my bucket list. We have Luciano's restaurant in Mulvane, KS, so that is a close second.

  • AnnaZed  on  September 2, 2017

    I have been a couple of times. My most memorable meal was in Florence, humble chicken but somehow magical.

  • sharifah  on  September 3, 2017

    I have been fortunate to visit Italy a few times, twice to Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast. Venice, Rome, Naples, Milan….and we'll be going to Sicily in 2 weeks time. My most memorable meal was in a little back street cafe in Venice near our hotel, it was a cheap fixed meal, and I had squid in black ink sauce. My husband had pasta with black ink sauce as well. We took a picture of our black tongues after! ha ha!

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