Street food is a staple in many countries, as it's a way for residents to earn income and on the other hand it offers locals and tourists alike a source of nourishment. Be it for a quick snack on the go or a full meal for lunch or dinner. So when in Naples - yeah not Rome this time 🙃 - we had to try the famous ‘O Cuoppo di Frittura (fried food in a cup/cone).
After having spent the whole morning strolling through the city and sightseeing, being cold and weary, we were in need of a quick bite to eat to reload. With Il Cuoppo situated in the center of the city and a stones throw away from where we were staying, it was a no-brainer.
When we placed our orders, we had to a wait a couple of minutes, because everything on their menu gets to be fried on the spot. This ensures the quality and crispiness of the cuoppo. Being in a coastal area, we had to try the cuoppo filled with anchovies and ordered another with potatoes, rice balls and mozzarella.
The last one was soft and a treat as it made my taste buds explore new flavors and new combinations of ingredients. The anchovies were the real star though, because we couldn't stop snacking from it and it left us wanting more. The fact that the fish were fried and still soft when biting into it baffled my mind and the saltiness enhanced the umami flavor of the anchovies. It also reminded us of what we know in Suriname as (Ikan) Teri - a family of the anchovies - that gets (sun) dried and fried as a garnish in soup based meals.
It was furthermore evident that it was around lunch time and that the vendor's popular, as the tables were occupied in spite of the cold. The vibe we got from the setting was busy with good energy. We even had a laugh, because the owner had to scold a socks seller away, who was bothering some clients sitting near us. It was all in good fun and the clients weren't really annoyed.