FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA
SICILIANS vs. NEAPOLITANS
“WHAT’S The DIFFERENCE” ?
ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS to AMERICAN
NEAPOLITANS vs. SICILIANS
NEAPOLITAN Immigrants gravitated to Cities.
SICILIANS preferred suburbs or country life.
FOOD – SICILIANS vs NEAPOLITANS
SICILIAN PIZZA is THICKER
NEAPOLITAN PIZZA is THIN CRUST
“SAUCE or GRAVAY” ???
“SICILIANS” – GRAVY
” NEAPOLITANS” SAUCE
WORK
SICILIANS – Many became fisherman, fish sellers, farmers, or produce sellers.
Sicilians built the Banana * Lemon trade in New York City.
NEAPOLITANS living more in cities, became Barbers, Construction Workers,
Tailors, Shoemakers. Neapolitan stone masons built the subways and bridges across North Eastern America. Neapolitan tailors opened shops. Neapolitan pizzaiolo opened pizzerias and created the pizza business of America.
All Italians, whether Sicilian or Neapolitan were Catholic.
SICILIANS versus NEAPOLITANS in AMERICA
Italian Americans of Sicilian and Neapolitan descent represent the two largest regional groups that shaped the Italian diaspora in the United States between 1880 and 1920. Both originate from Southern Italy, but they possess fiercely distinct cultural identities, dialects, and traditions (a concept known as campanilismo). [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Cultural & Historical Differences
- Origins & Ancestry: Sicilians come from the Mediterranean’s largest island, which was historically conquered by the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans. Neapolitans come from the bustling, mainland coastal city of Naples and the surrounding Campania region, which was dominated by Spanish and French rules. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Languages: Sicilian (siculu) and Neapolitan (napulitano) are recognized as distinct regional languages rather than mere dialects of standard Italian. They have entirely different vocabularies, pronunciations, and historical roots. [1, 2, 3]
- Cuisine: The culinary staples differ significantly based on local agriculture. Neapolitan food is famous for its tomato-heavy dishes, mozzarella, and as the birthplace of pizza. Sicilian cuisine relies heavily on eggplants, citrus, ricotta, seafood, and Arabic-influenced ingredients (like pine nuts and raisins). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Italian American Experience
When these groups immigrated, “Italy” as a unified country was relatively new (unified in 1861). In the United States, immigrants did not identify as “Italian”; rather, they identified as Napolitani or Siciliani. Little Italy neighborhoods in New York (like Mulberry Street in Manhattan or Bensonhurst in Brooklyn) were initially segregated block by block based on these hometowns. Over generations in America, these distinct cultures blended to form the broader Italian American identity, though many families still proudly trace their specific regional heritage.
FAMOUS SICILIAN AMERICANS
AL PACINO
ACTOR
FRANK SINATRA
ENTERTAINER
JOE DiMAGGIO
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FAMOUS SICILIAN AMERICANS
FRANK SINATRA
JOE DiMAGGIO
AL PACINO
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FRANK ZAPPA
VINCENT SCHIAVELLI
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DANIEL BELLINO
CHRIS CHRISTIE
JON BON JOVI (Bongiovi)
LIZA MINNELLI
MARIO CUOMO
ANDREW CUOMO
NANCY SINATRA
JOE MONTANA
CHARLES ATLAS
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NONNA BELLINO’S COOKBOOK
“RECIPES From MY SICILIAN NONNA’
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FAMOUS NEAPOLITAN AMERICANS
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SINGER
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ACTOR
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FEDERICO CASTELLUCCIO
ACORT / ARTIST
Born in NAPLES ITALY
Grew Up in PATERSON, NEW JERSEY
FAMOUS NEAPOLITAN AMERICANS
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO
FRANKIE VALLI
MARISA TOMEI
MARIO CUOMO
DANNY DeVITO
VINCE LOMBARDI
FREDERICO CASTELLUCCIO
QUENTIN TARANTINO
JOHN TURTURO
GWEN STEFANI
GIADA DeLURENTIS
FRANK SINATRA
The MOST CELEBRATED ITALIAN-AMERICAN of ALL
SINATRA SAUCE
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HIS FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES
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SUNDAY SAUCE
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DANIEL BELLINO
