Football and fine cuisine are two of the greatest passions of the Neapolitan people. The spaghetti alla Maradona is a simple, flavorful pasta dish beloved by Diego Armando Maradona, the Argentinian superstar who wrote a piece of Neapolitan history, as well as of Italian and world sport, in the 1980s. This dish is a testament to Maradona's love for the simple, strong flavors of Italian cuisine, and it has become a popular dish in Naples, especially during celebrations.
The Origins of a Culinary Legend
The story goes that Diego Armando Maradona loved this dish so much that he ordered it every time he went to a restaurant while playing for Napoli between 1984 and 1991. Parthenopean restaurateurs knew his weakness, and upon seeing him walk through the door, they knew exactly what el Pibe de Oro would order: his favorite spaghetti. Maradona was a gourmand who loved pasta and simple, strong flavors. Thus, this dish was born, a kind of aglio, olio e peperoncino with the addition of breadcrumbs fried in abundant extra virgin olive oil. According to Il Mattino, Maradona's love for this dish "was born in the Bruscolotti house, where it was prepared by his wife, Mrs. Mary, an excellent cook who loved to organize dinners and moments of aggregation. For years, she ran the restaurant 10 maggio 1987 with her husband, in memory of the first scudetto".
A Simple Recipe with a Powerful Flavor
Spaghetti alla Maradona is essentially a variation of the classic aglio e olio, a staple of Italian cuisine. But, the addition of fried breadcrumbs adds a unique texture and flavor that elevates the dish. It's a quick and easy recipe that captures the essence of Neapolitan cuisine: simple ingredients, bold flavors, and a touch of creativity.
The Basic Recipe
Here's a basic recipe for spaghetti alla Maradona, adapted from various sources:
Ingredients (for 4 people):
- 320-350 g spaghetti
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 fresh chili pepper (or more, to taste)
- 3 generous handfuls of breadcrumbs (about 300g)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
Preparation:
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the breadcrumbs: In a large skillet, heat a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to burn them. Remove the breadcrumbs from the skillet and set aside. Optionally, stir in the chopped parsley.
- Sauté the garlic and chili: In another skillet, heat some extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced or thinly sliced garlic and chili pepper. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine and finish: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and chili. Toss to coat, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Serve: Divide the spaghetti among plates and top generously with the fried breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.
Variations and Additions
While the basic recipe is simple, there are many ways to customize spaghetti alla Maradona to your liking.
Leggi anche: Sapori Mediterranei in un piatto di pasta
- Without Chili: For those who don't like spicy food, you can omit the chili pepper altogether or substitute it with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Parmesan Cheese: For a richer flavor, you can add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese to the dish. Some recipes suggest using Parmesan instead of chili for a milder flavor.
- Tarallo: Some versions of the recipe incorporate crumbled taralli, a type of savory biscuit from Naples, for added flavor and texture. This variation is sometimes called "spaghetti aglio, olio e tarallo". To make this variation, crush the taralli and sprinkle them over the pasta along with the breadcrumbs.
- Anchovies: For a more savory flavor, you can add a few chopped anchovies to the garlic and chili mixture.
- Lemon Zest: A touch of lemon zest can brighten the flavors of the dish and add a hint of freshness.
Serving and Enjoying
Spaghetti alla Maradona is best served immediately while the breadcrumbs are still crispy. It's a perfect dish for a quick and easy weeknight meal, or for celebrating a special occasion. In Naples, it's often served during celebrations, especially after Napoli victories.
From Aglio e Olio to Spaghetti alla Maradona
Spaghetti alla Maradona is very similar to spaghetti aglio e olio. The difference is the addition of fried breadcrumbs.Spaghetti aglio e olio is a traditional Neapolitan dish made with garlic (aglio), olive oil (olio) and chili peppers (peperoncino).
Here's a recipe for spaghetti aglio e olio:
Ingredients (for 4 people):
- 320-350 g spaghetti
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 fresh chili pepper (or more, to taste)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
Preparation:
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the garlic and chili: In a large skillet, heat some extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced or thinly sliced garlic and chili pepper. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine and finish: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and chili. Toss to coat, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Serve: Divide the spaghetti among plates and top with the chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Where to Find Spaghetti alla Maradona
If you're in Naples, you can try spaghetti alla Maradona at various restaurants. L’Ostaria Pignatelli in Naples offers spaghetti alla Maradona as well as other dishes dedicated to Neapolitan figures.
Leggi anche: Frittata Napoletana di Spaghetti
Leggi anche: Ingredienti Spaghetti San Giuannid