Neapolitan Casatiello: The King of Easter Tradition

Ancient Origins

Its roots date back to ancient Greek Naples, prepared to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring in honor of Demeter, later becoming a symbol of Holy Easter representing the crown of thorns of Christ. Its name derives from the Latin "caseus," which means cheese, one of the main ingredients of this recipe. This Easter bread symbolizes the day of celebration and abundance after the fasting period of Lent.

Irreplaceable Ingredients

What makes Casatiello special are some of its unique and irreplaceable ingredients:

• Sourdough: it gives Casatiello its texture and softness. Typically made with type 0 flour and water, it is the soul of this traditional rustic bread.
• Lard: which gives the dough a crumbly texture.
• Cold cuts: bacon, salami, raw ham give Casatiello that rustic and tasty flavor that makes it irresistible. The cold cuts are usually diced and distributed evenly inside the dough.
• Cheeses: pecorino and provolone are the key elements of Casatiello.
• Eggs: they symbolize rebirth and prosperity, usually inserted inside Casatiello or placed on the surface creating an inviting decorative effect.

Preparation

The preparation of Casatiello requires time and patience; the dough is kneaded by hand and left to rest for several hours. It is then filled with various cold cuts, cheeses, and hard-boiled eggs. It is then baked in the oven until golden brown.

Casatiello is not just a simple preparation but a true tradition of Neapolitan Easter, a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation, symbolizing family and sharing.