The Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe, Uova in Purgatorio.

Introduction



MIBE illustrations - devil egg Uova in purgatorio is an iconic dish of Neapolitan cuisine, deeply rooted in popular traditions. This simple dish, made with eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, originated in modest households that sought to use leftover Sunday ragù. It perfectly illustrates the concept of cucina povera, a frugal cuisine full of flavor.

The dish’s name is also rich in meaning. The egg whites, pure and immaculate, symbolize the souls in purgatory, while the red tomato sauce evokes the flames of hell. This visual representation inspired the name, emphasizing its connection to the religious and cultural traditions of the region.

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Ingredients



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The Recipe



Blanch the tomatoes (dip them for ten seconds in boiling water then into an ice bath to remove the skin).
Slice them widthwise, then cut into 5mm cubes.
Heat a medium pan over low heat, add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper.
After 7 minutes, add the peperoncini flakes (or other chili).
Cover the pan for 3 minutes.
Salt to taste.
Raise heat to medium-high and add the tomatoes.
Reduce to low heat and cover the pan.
Simmer for 10 minutes (optionally add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar).
Remove the lid and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
Crack each egg into a small ramekin.
Make a small well in the sauce near the edge, and immediately pour in one egg.
Repeat with the remaining three eggs.
Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat, grate the Parmesan, and sprinkle with chopped basil.

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Additional Tips



Egg cooking: Gently pour the eggs into the simmering sauce and cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, for perfect texture.

Serving suggestion: Serve uova in purgatorio with toasted country bread for the traditional "scarpetta," the act of mopping up the remaining sauce with the bread.

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Tasty Wall Art

Do you love culinary art and want to have these recipes in your kitchen? Visit MIBEARTSHOP.COM to order the poster "The Egg as King" and discover other unique creations.

After noticing among my friends and family that many people cook approximately, when just a little precision and minimal effort can lead to excellent results, and being passionate about cooking, I created cuisinerlesoeufs.fr to share my recipes with you.
"The Egg as King" is a (bad) pun on the "spoiled child," both to honor it and because the egg is fragile and precious, yet always at the center of everything (!).
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