The legend of the macaroni: story of a fantasy Naples

Naples can be described as a patchwork of many small legends accurately lined up. Almost every aspect of the Neapolitan cult seems to find its origin in a bizarre story: the legend of macaroni, we are about to talk in today’s article, is obviously one of them.

That funny story was also mentioned in ‘Neapolitan Legends’ the book by Matilde Serao and explains the origin of one of the most delicious dishes of the Neapolitan culinary tradition.

As we well know, Neapolitan culture has a peculiar creativity: about a thousand, both sacred and pagan, identities coexist in it. That vast diversity of symbolism and ancient tales derives from the all-Neapolitan ability to invent and reinvent everything. Creativity is the very heart of Neapolitan philosophy, which likes treating life lightly and living normal routine out of the ordinary.

From that attempt to fill everyday life with enthusiasm the legend of macaroni was born.

How were macaroni born?

Just as for meat sauce, the image of the blood, the city has always had a very particular connection with, is once again brought up: the cult of San Gennaro is an example.

The story tells about a girl who seated below the window of a man. The sinister-looking man usually went out with wrinkled and red-stained clothes but did not care about it. Everyone knew that crusty gentleman, wandering along the city, was actually a magician. In fact, the man never smiled at children, he was always off on his own and never let anyone enter his house.

The recipe in the king’s presence

A young vixen decided to throw light on that matter. The girl’s name was Jovanella, a sharp-looking girl with a cunning smile. Determined to find out the truth, she quickly arrived at Vico Cortellari and sat below the man’s window, spying on him. The magician was dealing with a large cauldron but the scent spreading from his mush was far from smelly. Jovanella immediately understood that the sorcerer was none other than a very skilled chef. Quietly as a mouse, she observed him and little by little, she learned his preparation. Then she presented it to the king, taking all the credit for the magician’s work. Therefore, the chef left Naples for good. Nevertheless, the origin of macaroni is commonly attributed to the city.