Napoletana

Napoletana is an Italian term meaning Neapolitan, derived from Naples. It functions as an adjective and noun and is used to indicate origin, style, or association with the city.

In cuisine, Napoletana denotes Neapolitan style. The most widely known uses are Pizza Napoletana and Sugo alla Napoletana (pasta sauce). Pizza Napoletana refers to a traditional Neapolitan pizza, typically made with a soft, elastic dough, hand-stretched to a round shape, topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil, and baked in a hot wood-fired oven. The style is linked to specific regional techniques and ingredients, and pizzerias worldwide may use the term to indicate authenticity.

Sugo alla Napoletana or pasta alla Napoletana is a tomato-based sauce associated with Naples. It is generally prepared with olive oil and tomatoes and may include garlic or onion, and occasionally ingredients such as olives, capers, or anchovies, depending on the recipe. The sauce serves as a base for many pasta dishes in southern Italy.

In language and culture, Napoletana also serves as the feminine form of Napoletano, used to describe things linked to Naples. It appears in terms such as canzone napoletana (Neapolitan song) or lingua napoletana (Neapolitan language). The term thus spans culinary, linguistic, and cultural contexts.