Amazing Appetizers, Chef Alfonso Caputo, Taverna del Capitano (Na)

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The dining room of Taverna del Capitano in Marina del Cantone (Na) has become one of my favorite places to pass a Saturday afternoon.  A view of  the marina and the soft background sounds of the waves splashing on the rocks blend perfectly with sand soft jazz/neapolitan classics on the stereo.  I try to arrive a little early to visit the kitchen, say hello to Chef Alfonso Caputo and his brigade, and maybe...just maybe get a sneak peek on what surprises will come my way.  On this particular Saturday I arrived in time to watch the chef cleaning a few fresh European spider crabs.  Did I say watch? I was soon handed an apron and a nutcracker and invited to help out.




Later I had a chance to enjoy that crab, in Italian known as granseola, served simply in its shell with a drizzle of olive oil.





Chef Caputo loves to mix terra e mare, land and sea, in his dishes.  He did so with this zuppa di fagioli - his bean soup featuring canary beans (from Gragnano), Caputo's dried pasta with aromatic herbs, and mussels.






Amazing...


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