Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

  • Home
  • About
    • About me
    • About this site
    • About my photography
    • Privacy and Disclosure Policy
  • Recipes
    • Visual Archive
    • Regional Italian Recipes
  • Books
    • The Cool Side of Summer
    • Manu’s Christmas Menus
    • MsM’s Mobile App
  • Work With Me
    • Affiliate Sign-Up
    • Featured On
  • Out & About
    • Africa
      • South Africa 2019
    • Americas
      • Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize
      • CHILE AND ARGENTINA 2018
    • Asia
      • India
      • Japan 2015
      • Japan 2017
      • Japan 2018
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Slovenia and Croatia 2019
      • Italy 2019
    • Oceania
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti) 2017
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
      • South Island – New Zealand Guide
  • Blogging Tips
    • Blogging Platform
    • Web Hosting
    • Technology Tips
    • Food Photography
    • Increasing Traffic to your Blog
    • Links
      • MsM in Your Kitchen
      • Events
        • 150 years of the Unification of Italy
        • Olio, Erbe e Fantasia – LILT
  • Tips
    • Techniques
      • Pasta and Gnocchi
      • Pizza and Other Doughs
      • Sauces and Other Basics
      • Decorations
    • Cake and Cookie decoration
      • Cake & Marshmallow Pops
        • Flowery Cake Pops
        • Hello Kitty Cake Pops
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake Pops
        • Christmas Tree Cake Pops
        • Sea Marshmallow Pops
      • Fondant Cakes
        • Moo Cake
        • South Pole Cake
        • Lola Cake
        • Hello Kitty Yogurt Cake
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Yogurt Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Fondant Cake
        • Sweet Sushi Mini Fondant Cakes
        • Peppa Pig Cake
        • Tinkerbell Cake
        • Miffy Cake
        • Olaf Yogurt Cake
        • Frozen Cake
      • Sugar Cookies
        • Heart Sugar Cookies
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Sugar Cookies
        • Christmas Tree Ornament Sugar Cookies
      • Eggless Sugar Cookies
        • Chinese New Year Cookies
        • St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
      • Shortbread Cookies
        • Shortbread and Chocolate Hearts
        • Baby Shower Shortbread Cookies
        • Flounder Shortbread Cookie Pops
      • Easy Chocolate Cookies
    • Conversion Tables
    • Gift Ideas
      • Christmas 2010
      • Christmas 2011
      • Christmas 2012
      • Christmas 2013
      • Christmas 2014
      • Christmas 2015
    • Ingredients
    • Where I Shop for Italian Food in Sydney
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Baking / PASTIERA NAPOLETANA

PASTIERA NAPOLETANA

April 6, 2012 By Manu 24 Comments

Pastiera Napoletana

Today I want to share with you the recipe for one of the most classic Italian Easter sweets: pastiera napoletana.  As the name suggests, it is a typical cake from the city of Naples and it is a very ancient dish, as it appears to have originated before the Christian era, when it was eaten to celebrate the arrival of spring (this very likely explains the use of wheat kernels in the filling).  This is also one of my all time favourite cakes.  I love all sweets with ricotta, but this has a special place in my stomach heart.  What makes it so special to me is the orange blossom water used in the filling.  Ever smelt the scent of zagare (orange blossoms)?  It is one of the most inebriating scents ever and eating a piece of pastiera takes you straight to a beautiful garden full of zagare.  It is the perfect symbol of spring and that is why it is eaten for Easter.  To fully enjoy it, it is best prepared on the Thursday and then served on Easter Sunday.  This gives the cake enough time to set.  So, I leave you to this week’s Regional Italian dish: pastiera napoletana from Campania!  Enjoy!

 

Ingredients: (for a 20 cm – 8 inches round spring form pan)

Pastry
125 gms – 4.4 oz. butter
250 gms – 2 cups flour
1 egg + 1 yolk
100 gms – 3.5 oz. sugar
1 sachet Vanillina or ½ tsp vanilla extract

Filling
15 gms – 1 tbsp orange blossom water
100 gms – 3.5 oz. candied orange peels, chopped
15 gms – 1 tbsp butter
½ tsp cinnamon
125 gms – 4.4 oz. pre-cooked durum wheat kernels (you can substitute this with cooked barley)
100 ml – 3.5 oz. milk
Zest of ½ lemon
300 gms – 10.5 oz. ricotta
300 gms – 10.5 oz. sugar
2 eggs (keep 1 tsp to brush on strips)
1 sachet Vanillina or ½ tsp vanilla extract

Start by making the pastry.  Put all the ingredients in a mixer and blend until combined.  Then knead the mixture for a minute on a lightly floured surface until you get a smooth dough.  Wrap it in cling wrap and put it in the fridge to rest for at least 40 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the filling.

Put the pre-cooked durum wheat kernels a sauce pan.  Add the milk, butter and lemon zest.  Let it simmer on a low fire until it thickens and becomes custard like.  Remember to stir it often or it may burn.  When ready, put it in a big bowl and let it cool down.

In the meantime, put the ricotta, eggs (remember to keep aside 1 tsp of egg to brush the cake with), sugar, orange blossom water, Vanillina and cinnamon in a mixer and blend well.

Mix the durum wheat kernel cream with the ricotta mixture and add the chopped orange peels.

Take the pastry out of the fridge and cut out a small piece that you will use to make the griddle on the top.  Roll the remaining pastry into a 3 mm – 0.1 inches thick round sheet and put it into a greased 20 cm – 8 inches spring form pan.  Make sure to leave a border of about 6 cm – 2.5 inches to contain the filling (1).  Then pour the filling mixture into the pan (2).  Roll the remaining dough (3), cut some strips 1.5 cm – 0.6 inches wide and put them on the top of the cake to make a diamond pattern (4).  Brush them with the little egg you kept aside (5-6).

Bake in a preheated oven at 190ºC – 375ºF for about 1 hour.  Let it cool down completely before unmoulding.  Let it rest at least 24 hours before serving it.

Pastiera Napoletana

Some people like to dust it with some icing sugar, but I like it “plain”.  Enjoy!

Pastiera Napoletana

Before I leave you, I would like to THANK Fiona from Nuts about food who awarded MsM with the Liebster Award!

I found Fiona’s blog by chance about a year ago and since then I have been hooked.  We have quite a few things in common (to name just one… she lives in my home town) and I consider her a good friend, one that I hope to meet in person the fist time I get the chance to fly back to Milan on holiday!!!  If you haven’t visited her site yet, please do!  She has some fantastic recipes and I am sure you will be back for more! 🙂  GRAZIE Fiona! <3

If you receive the Liebster award, follow these five steps:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Link back to their blog.
3. Copy and paste the Liebster award to your profile
4. Pick 5 blogs that you feel deserve to be in the spotlight (they must have 200 followers or under)
5. Blog about it and leave a comment for your nominations to let them know that you have chosen their blog.
I don’t know how many followers they have… but I love these blogs!  I pass this award to:
MJ from MJ’s Kitchen
Anna from The Shady Pine
Kiri from Healthy Foodie Travels
Karin from Yum and More
Maria from Flavors of Mumbai
Enjoy browsing!!! <3
Share

Related Posts:

  • CASATIELLO
  • Migliaccio
  • CASSATA SICILIANA
  • Schiacciata alla Fiorentina
  • Panforte di Siena

Filed Under: Baking, Cakes, Desserts, Easter, Italian, Regional Italian Dishes, Special Occasions Tagged With: cake, cakes, Campania, dessert, Easter, Italian, Naples, Napoli, orange blossom water, pastiera, Regional Italian Dishes, ricotta, Special Occasions, spring, sweets, traditional, wheat

« RISOTTO ALLA MARINARA
SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATES »

Comments

  1. Debora says

    April 6, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    fantastica!!! adoro la pastiera!! ^_^ buona Pasqua Manu

    Reply
    • Manu says

      April 6, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      Grazie Debora!!! Anch’io (purtroppo) l’adoro… hahahaha Buona Pasqua anche a te! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Medeja says

    April 6, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    Wow! That filling is so good! It sounds and looks so yummy!

    Reply
  3. Karin @yum and more says

    April 6, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    wonderful recipe for a wonderful cake!
    as always with your easy step-by-step instructions.
    You are the best Manuela!
    Buona Pasqua
    ;D Karin

    Reply
  4. Kiri W. says

    April 6, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    Ooooh, that looks so, so delicious! And fancy, the top is just gorgeous.
    Thank you so much! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Liz says

    April 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Oh, my…this filling sounds irresistible and your lattice work is impeccable!!! Such a fabulous holiday dish! Happy Easter, Manu!!! xo

    Reply
  6. Soni says

    April 7, 2012 at 12:57 am

    Lovely recipe!Love your filling and such a delicious and gorgeous outcome :)Love your lattice work too!Happy Easter 🙂

    Reply
  7. mjskit says

    April 7, 2012 at 8:51 am

    I love everything about this dessert! I have smelt orange blossoms but I’ve never had orange blossom water. It’s got to be good and with the candied orange peels – YUM! Beautiful dessert! Thanks so much for passing the Liebster Award to me! I just love the meaning of the word Liebster, so to receive the award is very flattering! Thanks Darling!

    Reply
  8. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    April 7, 2012 at 9:34 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Reem | Simply Reem says

    April 7, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Fantastica Manu!!
    This looks adorable with that cute little chicki on the top!
    I have to say beautiful lattice top and orange blossom water sounds wonderful here…

    Reply
  10. jennifer barnaby says

    April 7, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Your cake reminds me a lot of the French Gâteau Basque but I think yours would be better since it has a ricotta filling. I’m sold on anything with ricotta in it. Especially when the anything with ricotta looks as fab as this cake.

    Reply
  11. Holly says

    April 8, 2012 at 12:18 am

    mmmmmmmmm This looks so yummy. Like a super cheesecake. I may try it the next time I get a hankering for cheesecake.

    Reply
  12. J @ ... semplicemente j ... says

    April 8, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Buona Pasqua Manu!

    Reply
  13. Paolo @ DisgracesOnTheMenu says

    April 8, 2012 at 3:43 am

    I absolutely love Pastiera Napoletana, it became a tradition for me since I moved to Canada. Being from the north of Italy I never really had pastiera when I grew up – ironically, now that I’m here, I’m discovering more dishes from the whole country. For instance, I can more easily find pre-cooked durum wheat kernels here than in northern Italy. Happy Easter, btw!

    Reply
  14. bananamondaes says

    April 8, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    This looks sooo delicious, and light and fluffy too. The chicken on top is hilarious!

    Reply
  15. beti says

    April 9, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    aww that little chicken is adorable! it looks delicious and very well done

    Reply
  16. tania@mykitchenstories says

    April 15, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    Lovely Easter cake,. Someone was telling me about this this week

    Reply
  17. Nuts about food says

    April 19, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Grazie Manu for your sweet words… I look very much forward to meeting you when you come to Milan!
    I am very behind on my blogging and reading and am catching up with all your incredible posts of the past weeks so I just saw this now. Grazie.
    I am not a fan of the ingredients in Pastiera Napoletana, but yours looks like you just walked into a pastry store in Naples and bought it!

    Reply
  18. Lucia says

    July 14, 2014 at 12:38 am

    Ciao Manu,
    thanks for such an easy to follow recipe and great photos. My mother has always made Pastiera di Riso for festive occasions – she substitutes rice for durum wheat. I’d love to try the traditional Pastiera but where do I source the pre-cooked durum wheat?

    Reply
    • Manu says

      July 14, 2014 at 7:23 am

      Ciao Lucia. Thanks for your comment! I am very glad you like my Pastiera recipe! 🙂 I find it at any continental delis. They may have it at the back, so you may have to ask. Not sure where you live, but I know they have it at Haberfield/Leichhardt here in Sydney. Hope it helps!

      Reply
  19. Julie Bonavita says

    April 13, 2017 at 12:04 am

    My Neapolitan MIL used to make a whet pie that was SAVORY and not sweet. cant find a recipe for anything even close to it. not sure if its an actual “thing” or if she mad e it up herself. have u ever heard of such a pie? If I were to ‘invent’ one I wonder how id do it? what would go in it?

    Reply
    • Manu says

      April 13, 2017 at 8:06 am

      Hi Julie!
      It does exist! It’s called Pastiera Salata (aka savoury pastiera). I have found a recipe for it, but it’s in Italian. You can find it here: http://www.misya.info/ricetta/pastiera-salata.htm See if you can translate it with google. If something isn’t clear, do let me know and I will try and help out with the translation. Have a great Easter weekend! Manu

      Reply
      • julie says

        April 13, 2017 at 11:15 pm

        OMGGG I love you..Ill have my husband translate if I need it LOOVVVEEEE YOUUUUU!!! xoxoxoxox Buona Pasqua 🙂

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Dolce di Amalfi - golosa tentazione per il palato says:
    November 22, 2015 at 4:00 am

    […] di Paolo Calicchio | Manuela Zangara | Mphoto | ashkyutey Daniele Calabrese Studiando Comunicazione a Salerno e a Roma, promuove […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome to Manu’s Menu!

Hi! I am Manu, the author of Manu's Menu. I was born and brought up in Italy and my blog can show you how to create authentic Italian food in your own home! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HOMEMADE PASTA MADE SIMPLE – THE BOOK. CLICK TO BUY IT FROM AMAZON NOW!

Homemade Pasta Made Simple

Archives

Categories

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Video Recipe: Orecchiette with Crudaiola Sauce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSyzFElbRY
foodgawker bowls-150x150
tastespotting150
Tasteologie badge
Pasta & Gnocchi

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book – Click to buy it now! On SALE for only $9.99!

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!
Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress
Community Table Contributor Badge
Sunday Supper Movement

manusmenu

Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Cara Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Caramel Cheesecake Slice.  Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #miso #cheesecake #cake #dessert #japan
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A tradi Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A traditional pasta sauce from central Italy. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #pasta #pastasauce #ragu
Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprisi Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprising city. Come check it out. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #trieste #holidays #beautifuldestinations #history #food
Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Cre Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Crespelle. The best comfort food. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food #foodgram #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood
Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about some of the most important landmarks of the Great War. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #war #history
Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use up some of your #sourdough discard to make these delicious sweet or savoury crêpes. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food
Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #history #food #italianfood
Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cockt Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cocktail and an alternative to your everyday spritz. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #hugo #spritz #prosecco #drinks #cocktails #elderflower
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay S Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay Stir Fry. So good. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #satay #stirfry #pork #meatballs
Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crun Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crunchy and refreshing. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #picklingcucumbers #pickles #pickling #garden #cucumber #vegetarian #vegan #video
Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and d Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and delicious. Clickable link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #pudding #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #coffee #pannacotta
Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe adapted from the wonderful @jennifer_rodda. The best way to use up some of your Sourdough discard. Clickable recipe link on my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #pastry #cinnamonrolls #teatime #breakfast
Follow on Instagram

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2011-2020 - Manu's Menu and Manuela Zangara. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more