I’m writing this post, the top 7 things to know about the Searching for Italy zucchini pasta, as I’m sitting on the patio of our waterfront villa in Praiano and looking out to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s a view that I will definitely never forget!

Italy is absolutely one of our favorite places in the world. Joe and I tend to gravitate towards all things Italian—we both find warmth and comfort in the culture and the food, likely due to our roots. So, when the CNN show Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy was announced, we couldn’t wait to watch it. The first episode is titled “Naples and the Amalfi Coast,” and it’s amazing. We were captivated by the region as Stanley Tucci goes from searching for the best Neapolitan pizza to visiting a San Marzano tomato farm to feasting on the now world-famous local dish of spaghetti and fried zucchini. We hadn’t made it past the first episode when we started looking for flights.

In our “7 Things to Know About the Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta” post, I’ll tell you all about our personal experience searching for, preparing and savoring this famous dish that people are calling the Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta.

7 Things to Know About Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy’s Fried Zucchini Pasta:

1. The Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta is Locally Known as Spaghetti alla Nerano

This mouthwatering Searching for Italy fried zucchini dish has its origins in the Bay of Nerano, where the Amalfi coast begins. Nerano is a charming seafaring village that overlooks the Gulf of Salerno. And yes, this place is as romantic as it sounds. The recipe dates back to the 1950s when Provolone del Monaco (a local spicy cheese with its own incredible history) was added to a simple pasta dish with zucchini. Today, thanks to the internet and Stanley Tucci and his Searching for Italy series, we all can enjoy this incredible four ingredient dish.

2. Where to Find the Searching For Italy Zucchini Pasta

The woman who reputedly created this culinary delight in the 1950s had her own namesake restaurant, Maria Grazia. It still exists today and is ran by her grandchildren. But, since we are suckers for a good TV show and are doing our own “Searching for Italy” adventure, we opted to go to the restaurant featured on the show: Lo Scoglio da Tommaso, so we can try the Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta for ourselves.

Lo Scoglio da Tommaso is a darling inn facing the Amalfi Coast. The entire restaurant is situated to take advantage of the views, so there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. It was starting to get a bit chilly the day we arrived, so the outdoor dining section was closed. Our table, however, had great views from each vantage point and we enjoyed watching a crowd of spirited pescatori and some small fishing boats rocking in the water.

Our reservation was made for 7pm (a very early start to dinner in Italy). We were soon joined by a young couple, and few other families trickled in while we were there.

The property is unpretentious and feels very welcoming. The design is what you would expect for a nice restaurant in a fishing village. White walls with blue trim and colorful marine life décor. I can picture some warm patio nights in the summertime with the constant flow of vino and never-ending plates of pasta…

If you’d like to visit Lo Scoglio da Tommaso, which was featured in the series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, here are the details:

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Lo Scoglio da Tommaso

Ristorante Lo Scoglio
Piazza delle Sirene, 115, Marina del Cantone, Massa Lubrense, Napoli

phone: 081 808 1026
info@hotelloscoglio.com

*We suggest making reservations.

3. Yes, Spaghetti alla Nerano (aka Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta) Really is That amazing!

I will be the first to admit that it takes a lot to impress me, food-wise. It could be the years of hosting and planning lavish weddings and events featuring great chefs from all over the world (humble brag moment), or maybe I’m just a picky eater. Whatever the reason, while I’m pretty easy to please, I’ve definitely become harder to impress, especially when it comes to food.

Our expectations were also shaped by watching the TV show. For Stanley Tucci and his wife, this zucchini pasta dish was definitely one of the stars and it obviously made an impression on us. Plus, I’m making my way to a full-time vegetarian/plant-based diet; so, I was pretty excited for a simple dish of pasta with zucchini.

So, all of that being said, the Searching For Italy zucchini pasta dish is pretty fabulous. It is decadent, yet delicate; creamy, but light—so well balanced! It is truly WORTH EVERY SINGLE CALORIE! My little heart was doing a happy dance. Which was good because I needed to burn off the aforementioned calories.

4. You Can Stay at Lo Scoglio da Tommaso

If you haven’t booked all of your accommodations for your stay on the Amalfi Coast yet, and you plan to visit Lo Scoglio da Tommaso to try the Searching for Italy zucchini pasta in person, why not stay there? It is also a hotel!

Located in a super cute fishing village, the hotel is just as lovely as the restaurant.

Need more reasons to stay there?

• Breakfast is included
• The views are gorgeous
• The ambiance is peaceful
• You can have spaghetti alla Nerano, the Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta, in your room
• There are restaurants and shops within walking distance
• It’s a bit off the beaten path
• It’s a truly special place

5. Getting There is Part of the Experience

Joe and I love to rent a car in just about every destination we venture to. And while many travel blogs and advice columns advise against self-driving when in the Amalfi Coast, we mildy disagree.

Yes, it can be hard to find parking, especially during the peak season, and the roads and Italian driving-style are definitely not for the faint of heart. But, since we had just spent 5 months driving in Mexico, Joe felt like he was up for the challenge. Plus, we arrived right before peak travel season, so it was definitely less congested and more manageable. Although, each time we ran into a giant tour bus, mid-curve, we all held our breath (and on for dear lives).

That being said, there is no way we would’ve rented a car without having access to private parking. And, while we love to have our own set of wheels, go at our own pace and explore as we see fit, there are other transportation options. You can hire a driver, hop in a black Mercedes taxi or catch one the “way too big for those roads” buses.

Located directly on the sea, Lo Scoglio da Tommaso is an hour and a half drive from the Naples Airport and about the same, with traffic, from our villa, located in Praiano, Italy. But, don’t worry—the Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta is absolutely worth the lengthly drive! The breathtaking views are incredible.

Bonus Tip: Head out early so you have time to stop and snap all of the photos! You can thank me later. 

6. Making Spaghetti alla Nerano, the Searching for Italy Zucchini Pasta, at Home

There are tons of different recipes online for the Searching For Italy zucchini pasta dish. Interestingly, most of the ones I found were pretty recent posts, so the TV show must’ve made quite the impression.

Once you try this Searching For Italy Zucchini Pasta dish in real life, it makes total sense why you’d want to replicate it at home for your friends and family. Actually, Joe already came up with his own quick and easy version. It is slightly different than the original, but having had the real thing just the day before, I can say his swift recipe is pretty spot on.

We’ve yet to try any of the other recipes we found online. When we do, I’ll update this post and add our thoughts. In the meantime, here’s Joe’s version as well as some links to the original recipe:

If you end up making either—or all—of these versions, let us know how they turn out!

• Alessandras Food is Love
• Chewing the Fat
• The Luxe Nomads – Joe’s swift and easy version

7. It’s Best Enjoyed with Friends!

I’m not saying you couldn’t enjoy this dish all by yourself. I certainly would. But we think almost everything is best enjoyed with friends, and the Searching For Italy zucchini pasta dish is no exception.

If you happen to find yourself in Naples one day, make sure you go out of your way to visit the restaurant at Lo Scoglio da Tommaso. The experience will be well worth the effort. And bring your friends so you can try some of the other amazing dishes!

In closing: 

Whether you’re a Stanley Tucci superfan or have just been searching for a great new recipe, you honestly can’t go wrong with Spaghetti alla Nerano, also known as the Searching for Italy zucchini pasta dish.

Also, if you haven’t watched the CNN series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, you should. In fact, they just released a second season. Who knows, you may get inspired and start searching for your next flight!

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Are you ready to create your very own Searching for Italy experience? We’d love to help!

We’ve been arranging romantic vacays, destination events and multi-generation travel for couples, families and corporations for over 10 years.

Contact The Luxe Nomads and get started on your next adventure!