Napolita Pizza in Wilmette

Have you heard the term “Napolitan cuisine” used on menus or even chip bags? Did you know it refers to an exciting cuisine created in Naples, Italy?

This cuisine blends speedy baking times with traditional techniques and reverent culinary rituals, making it no surprise it has earned Protected Designation of Origin status and been designated UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

Origins

People in Naples have long enjoyed making flatbread with simple toppings for millennia. Around 1830, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba began selling pizza topped with cheese and tomato sauce; soon enough it quickly became a regional institution.

Napolitan cuisine provides both body and mind with nourishment. The cuisine’s basic yet robust flavors have long been appreciated by Napolitans; its main goal being the enjoyment of life’s small pleasures with company.

New York City is home to speakers of Neapolitan, who continue to practice their culture and language, influencing and interacting with speakers of Sicilian, Calabrese, and Pugliese in multidialectal immigrant neighborhoods such as Ridgewood in Queens; Arthur Avenue and Morris Park in the Bronx; as well as elsewhere across the United States. The Endangered Language Alliance works closely with community members in these neighborhoods as well as others across America in support of cultural preservation.

Philosophy of Simplicity

Napolita’s authenticity lies in its dedication to minimalism, allowing its simple flavors to shine. Enjoying a cool scoop is more than a culinary ritual; it’s a celebration of tradition, community and artistry!

Research has demonstrated that voluntary simplicity can be associated with intrinsic religiosity (Chowdhury 2018; Bandak 2017), as well as the desire to lead an enriching spiritual life. Simplifiers subscribe to a philosophy which emphasizes limiting acquisitions and eliminating excess goods; this commitment gives their few possessions sentimental value – for instance Malgorzata’s white mug has become part of her morning tea ritual – an attachment which contributes significantly towards maintaining simplist practices.

Culinary Rituals

Napolita cuisine was inspired by its vibrant cultural tapestry, creating a delectable legacy rooted in tradition yet always looking ahead. This fine balance between heritage and innovation has helped define Italian cuisine today.

Although most commonly associated with pizza and pasta, the cuisine of Napolita goes well beyond these staples to encompass seafood, street food, and desserts. Their culinary traditions use only high-grade ingredients and techniques that guarantee vibrant yet authentic flavor profiles in their cuisine.

Napoli’s heritage can be found everywhere from its historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage site) to Pompeii ruins, from language (which is spoken by millions) and cuisine to service. All these aspects reflect Naples as a city.

Artisanal Techniques

Napolita pizzas are cooked quickly in wood-fired ovens at high temperatures to achieve their distinctive crust texture and preserve its toppings, creating its unique flavor profile.

An essential aspect of Napolita’s unique taste lies in the use of premium ingredients. San Marzano tomatoes, known for their rich, sweet flavor and low acidity levels, are one of the many key components that give its signature taste.

Napolita’s commitment to artisanal techniques has earned it the status of more than just pizza; its culinary heritage is protected by a Protected Designation of Origin that honors simplicity and communal celebration of culinary rituals. Every bite will transport you back to Naples’ sun-kissed streets!

Authenticity

There’s an old Neapolitan proverb: if you die without having eaten Naples, your appetite hasn’t fully come full circle. Napolita embodies this philosophy with their pizza as their primary offering but they also provide homemade pasta, cured meats, and Italian-inspired desserts in their charming Wilmette eatery.

The AVPN has many stringent requirements for restaurants to be authenticated by them, with dough made using highly refined Italian type 0 or 00 flour, fresh brewer’s yeast, and water from Naples being key components.

Slow cooked, this classic Italian sauce produces rich flavors with sweet undertones for an irresistibly delicious experience. Perfect as an accompaniment for pizza, pasta and other traditional Italian dishes; equally great on freshly grilled seafood or used as a dipping sauce for bread sticks!