At this time of year, I have the habit of asking patients which traditional Neapolitan dish they’re going to have for Christmas. Most tell me that spaghetti alle vongole [spaghetti with clams], fried cod and insalata di rinforzo [cauliflower and pickle salad] are on the menu — but the other day Francesco surprised me.
“I had planned to eat pigeon on the 25th!”
“Francé, pigeon?! But what are you thinking? “
“Dottoré, have you ever watched Masterchef? Pigeon is a delicacy! Besides, it doesn’t cost anything! I have so many pigeons on my balcony that I could feed a regiment!”
“So, let me get this straight. You want to eat a pigeon from the street for Christmas?”
“Exactly. This year I wanted to save money and prepare something — as they say — gourmet!”
“Let me ask you one more thing. Have you told your wife that instead of clams, you’re going to bring back some ‘wild game’ on the 24th?”
“Yes, I did.”
“And what did she say?”
“She said, ‘You’re right! Actually, you know what, to save some more money, I’ll make you eat a delicious rat — pigeons are just the same and you won’t even notice it.’ And so Dottoré, I gave in to ignorance. Naples is not ready for gourmet dishes. Masterchef will have to wait another year and at Christmas we’ll eat clams, cod and eel…”
Learn more about Worldcrunch’s exclusive Dottoré! series here.
