Almond and honey torrone is the most traditional sweet. It will come as no surprise to you all to hear that there is no singular traditional christmas lunch deal in Italy, although having deprived themselves of meat on Christmas Eve, generally everybody eats meat on the 25th. These days, many are more relaxed about the rules of fasting. Capitone (eel) The "capitone" is the female eel, and it is named like that because of the larger size of the head compared to the male (in Neapolitan dialect, capitone means big head). Italian Christmas traditions. In Milan, the land of Panettone, we usually do not celebrate the Vigilia, we have a huuge lunch on Dec 25th, I don’t know why, but Milan have often different religious tradition, Milan is not under the Roman Catholic rite, but under the Ambrosian Catholic one (Advent, Lent, Carnival and so on are a little bit different). Ladle the meat broth into the bowls. Dessert includes panettone, the star-shaped pandoro dusted with icing sugar and torrone. Get curated Italy travel tips delivered to your inbox! Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission.As an Amazon Associate I … One of the best things about Christmas is the amount of sweet pastries, biscuits and desserts on offer. Other typical fish dishes include brodetto (fish soup from Le Marche), pezzetti (battered and fried vegetables and ricotta from Rome), sautéed broccoli and shellfish from Naples, baby octopus and caponata (stewed sweet and sour aubergine from Sicilia). The following Italian dishes are the types of food my southern Italian family (some of whom are now all over the globe) makes at Christmastime, both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What do Italians eat on Christmas?The answer is that there's no dish in particular that can be found on every single Italian holiday table. Regional Christmas desserts include spongata (a honey, nut and raisin cake from Emilia), cavallucci (spice and walnut biscuits imprinted with a horse from Siena), cassola (cheesecake from Rome), struffoli (towers of fried dough glazed with honey from Campania), cassata (sponge cake filled with sweet ricotta with candied fruit and chocolate and decorated with marzipan and candied fruit), buccellata (pastry ring filled with dried fruit, nuts and honey from Sicilia), cartellate (dough ribbons symbolizing baby Jesus’s sheets from Puglia) and dita degli apostoli (omelettes filled with chocolate or coffee flavoured ricotta symbolizing the fingers of the apostles from Puglia). Yes, you read that right. Walks of Italy, Via Caio Mario 14A, Rome, Italy, Update your browser to view this website correctly. 50 gms prosciutto, finely chopped The Christmas season starts in Italy on 6 December with the birthday of Saint Nicola (the basis for Santa Claus, known as Babbo Natale in Italy). Il panettone(fruitcake) 7. You can add some cold water to the pan to prevent this. Lunch. If your pasta is not closing well as it is too dry, dip your finger into the reserved meat cooking liquid and moisten the edges to close. Tortellini(ring-shaped pasta) 6. Originally published December 16, 2016. They usually have the word “pane” in the name (meaning “bread”) such as panspeziale/certosino (from Emilia Romagna), pangiallo (from Lazio), pani ‘e saba (from Sardegna), panforte and panpepato (both from Toscana). Then, of course, come the pasta dishes. It is common practice for Italian children write letters to Babbo Natale(Father Christmas) asking for Christmas presents. After Christmas Eve, which is almost as important as Christmas, and Christmas Day, of course, with gift-opening and long lunches and gatherings, Italians celebrate Santo Stefano, on December 26. In Italy the Christmas season lasts for a few weeks up until Epiphany. Across Italy, Natale tends to be a family-centric holiday, a time to stay at home (and eat!) Can I point out that there is a difference between ‘capitone’ (female eel) and capon (cappone), which is a castrated male chicken. My mother often spoke of mostaccioli, but I’ve never had it. Cook until the meat is cooked through but do not let it dry out (about 3 minutes each side). Pinch the edges shut pressing out any air inside. The eve of the Epiphany is when la Befana, a toothless old woman, visits children and fills their stockings with toys, sweets and alphabet-shaped biscuits if they are good and coal shaped candy if they are bad. Fresh egg pasta Not just Christmas Day but also the 24th December also known as the Vigilia. The Christians chose this day to celebrate the birth of the son of God, Jesus Christ, and the birth of the sun at the same time. Lunch is the main meal. Some day I’ll try, preferably in Sicily, at Christmas. Want to make some of these foods yourself? Meat broth. Lo zampone(skin of a lower pig leg filled with minced meat) 2. For morning tea (taken around 10-11am) Italians tend to eat sandwiches with very thin slices of ham and/or cheese. The dishes and traditions are very different throughout the Peninsula. If you haven't yet, you might want to subscribe by e-mail, « Cellar Tour: Allegrini: the perfect marriage of culture and wine. Place finished cappelletti on the floured baking sheet and cover with the damp tea towel. In southern Italy, fish is served as the main course. Christmas Eve (24 December) has a symbolic number of courses: 7 for the seven sacraments (visual rituals Jesus entrusted to the Catholic Church to symbolize God’s presence), 9 for the Trinity (the number 3 multiplied by itself- 3 symbolising the son (Jesus Christ), the father (God) and the Holy Spirit), 12 for the 12 disciples of Jesus, 13 (Jesus plus the 12 disciples) and 21 (the Trinity (3) multiplied by 7 for the seven sacraments). Read More…, Thanks for visiting Living a Life in Colour again, good to have you back here. On 13 December, Santa Lucia visits the northeast of Italy to give gifts, sweets and frollini di santa Lucia (biscuits shaped like piglets, ponies or flowers to the children). There is also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, celebrating the conception of Christ. Bombardino(a popular drink similar to eggnog) Another popular Christmas activity is the “urn of fate”, in which present… One traditional Christmas Eve dish is capitone (eel), although it’s becoming less and less popular. This one is very unusual for a Christmas menu. Italians know how to party. Sit the filled pasta up with the center corner up and bring the two bottom corners together. Like everything else in Italy, of course, exact Christmas foods depend on the region. Roll your pasta to the last (thinnest) setting on your pasta machine. As a child growing up in an Italian American family, it also meant that our family followed the same traditions year after year. You want some texture, not mush. Especially the children look forward to the start of the Christmas season in December when Christmas trees are put up and houses are decorated. Ahhh. A popular Christmas food in Emilia-Romagna and the north: filled pasta. 1. Seven courses might be served for the 7 sacraments, 9 for the Trinity (squared), 12 for the apostles, 13 for the disciples with Jesus, or 21 (yikes!) All the Italian Christmas food you should eat on your trip! Be careful not to overchop it. Confusingly, both feature in regional traditions at Christmas. That’s in keeping with most meals served on the eve before a religious festival in Italy: You’re supposed to have a giorno di magro, eating lean to help purify your body for the holiday. ITALIA: +39 0932 1846653 / Via San Brancati 16 C.da Cannizzara, 97015 Modica (RG) USA: +1 919-249-5055 / PO Box 9000, Edgartown, MA 02539 USA Dishes served on the day before a religious festival such as Christmas Eve, known as La Vigilia, are meant to purify the body before the rich holiday foods. Romans eat spaghetti with anchovies. In Sicilia, Santa Lucia is honoured for bringing grain to the starving poor and is marked by serving cuccìa, a spoon pudding of wheat berries, ricotta and candied orange zest. Italian holiday foods are often symbolic as well as delicious. Sprinkle Parmigiano-reggiano cheese over top and serve. In our house on Christmas Eve we serve smoked salmon and salt cod as a starter followed by ravioli as a first course and fish baked in a salt crust for a main course. What I remember of those years was that, after church on Christmas morning, my father … They vary a lot from north to south, I mean it really depends on where you are. Select Italy puts you in touch with the heart of Italian culture, from the Tuscan countryside to the capital of Rome, and provides the information needed to organize a once in a lifetime tour of Italy. When the cappelletti float, remove with a slotted spoon to the serving bowls. After you’ve (ahem) refrained from indulging on Christmas Eve, you’re allowed to really tuck in on Christmas Day. This collection of authentic Italian Christmas Eve and Christmas Day recipes will help you to plan a holiday just like Nonna. Then the first course follows which is often pasta or a soup. Bring the meat broth to a simmer. 225 gms lean mixture of meat: pork loin, veal loin, and chicken breast, sliced 1/2 cm thick Traditionally, the dishes are left because they’re waiting for the Madonna and the baby Jesus to come… to taste the food! Il cotechino(sausage, similar to salami) 3. a guide to Italian food, wine and culture, December 2, 2014 By wooweiduan Leave a Comment. That may explain why we do not celebrate the “cenone” on Dec 24th! Homemade cappelletti are more work but are completely worth the effort. Christmas Day Lunch. The Epiphany on 6 January marks the end of the holiday season. Usually Italian families put up their Christmas trees, decorations and the presepe (nativity scence) on this day. Italians typically eat a croissant or some yoghurt for breakfast with a cup of coffee or a cappuccino. Prior to the birth of Christianity, the day marked the winter solstice. But what exactly do Italians eat for their Christmas meals? But I think though it’s a rare type this one is nice to try sometimes. Often eel (capitone) is served fried, grilled, pickled, roasted, spit-roasted or stewed as is baccalà often stewed or fried. In the north, especially Lombardy and Piedmont, lasagna is covered with anchovies, parmesan, and seasonings. Flour a baking sheet and have another damp tea towel ready. The Christmas season starts in Italy on 6 December with the birthday of Saint Nicola (the basis for Santa Claus, known as Babbo Natale in Italy). What do Italians Eat for Christmas? Learn how to make Italian recipes for family and friends. Each region has its own traditional dish for Christmas dinner: the cuisine reflects the characteristics and flavors of the local environment. 100 gms parmigiano-reggiano cheese plus more for serving Remove it from the pan and let it cool. Christmas is a joyful time of year, during which everything is light and colorful. Add 30 cappelletti to the water and turn the heat to low, do not let the water boil. Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks as Italians celebrate from early December, depending on the region, until the day of Epiphany, on the 6th of January. For this part it is best to enlist the help and companionship of friends and family. Your email address will not be published. The Italian Christmas dinner includes at least 5 courses. On Christmas Eve, many families eat fish courses for dinner (known as Il Cenone in southern Italy). Italian holiday foods are often symbolic as well as delicious. Our website uses cookies to improve your user experience. Thanks for sharing. When the butter has melted, add the meat mixture and turn the heat to low. Take one sheet of pasta and using a paring knife or pasta cutter cut it into 3-5 cm squares. These also vary. Eat like the Italians this Christmas By Jamie magazine • November 23, 2015 • In Christmas Try something different this year with an Italian take on Christmas lunch. The most important of the Natale meals, Christmas Day lunch can last for hours.Unlike Christmas Eve’s meal, Christmas Day is typically meat-based. Ask most people what Italians eat for Christmas, and they’ll almost always say panettone; it’s one of the few specialties that have started to influence Christmas celebrations in other cultures. There is something very important to keep in mind when talking about Italian Christmas traditions: there is no such thing as just one tradition! Fold the pasta over so that the corners meet and form a triangle. Add the meat to the egg mixture and combine well. In the Center and in the South the most important moment is la Vigilia dinner , while in the North the big celebration takes place on the 25th lunch. Whether you are in the north or the south will dictate which fish dish is the most traditional. In Lombardia and Piemonte, lasagna (pasta sheets layered with a sauce made from butter, anchovies, garlic, leeks, sage, rosemary, bay leaves, black pepper and/or parmigiano reggiano) is a traditional Christmas Eve dish. In Bologna, it’s all about meat-filled tortellini in capon (eel) broth; in Ferrara, the pasta’s stuffed with pumpkin filling. Turkey 4. The main meal of Christmas day consists of various salumi and cheese, cappelletti (stuffed pasta) in broth for a first course, roast goose with sour cherry and red wine sauce for a main course accompanied by roast potatoes and other vegetables. Lunch is the main meal. Woo Wei-Duan provides practical instruction on Italian cooking and recipes as well as musings on life and family on this website. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Stay up to date with travel tips, local insights and all things Italy on our social channels! But Italians don’t only eat sweets over Christmas. Update my browser now. Cover the pasta with a damp towel to keep it moist. Required fields are marked *. Take a 1/4 teaspoon of filling and place in the centre of a square. Pasta in brodo—pasta in broth—is a common kickoff to the meal across Italy, but particularly in the north.In Bologna, it’s all about meat-filled tortellini in capon (eel) broth; in Ferrara, the pasta’s stuffed with pumpkin filling. Lamb 5. Italians aren’t generally big on desserts, but when it comes to sweets and the Christmas season, all bets are off. This is the first thing to know when talking about Christmas in Italy. Of course, sweet breads, like panettone and pandoro, are popular across Italy. with loved ones.But customs also vary from city to city, from exactly which dishes are served, to when to open presents, making every region an interesting place to enjoy the holidays. 2 pinches nutmeg, finely grated Having an Italian Christmas Eve? Usually meat isn't eaten on this day so instead being in the south and near the sea they will prepare a enormous fish dinner. In the south, families celebrate with a big dinner. Recipes for various Christmas fish dishes from Puglia. Cut the pasta sheets in half if they are getting too long. Christmas, a day that has mainly a religious meaning, began in Italy around 300 A.D., when Emperor Constantine, after adopting the new faith of Christianity, celebrated the … Other desserts include cavallucci, cookies with the image of a horse (from, of course, Siena); dita degli apostoli (“fingers of the apostles”), chocolate- or coffee-flavored ricotta-filled omelettes, a Puglian tradition; and mostaccioli, spiced nut pastries gobbled up by Romans. food as that is, though, Italians aren’t done! Eel used to be the main course for most Italian families, but now, many in Italy eat turkey—stuffed, not unlike what you see for an American Thanksgiving! But here are some of our favorite food traditions! When it comes to an Italian Christmas, food is an important—okay, possibly the most important—part of the tradition. When the meat has cooled, finely chop it either by hand or in a food processor. After you’ve (ahem) refrained from indulging on Christmas Eve, you’re allowed to really tuck in on Christmas Day. According to the Italian legend, La Befana, a witch-like woman riding on a broom, refused to join the Wise Men on their journey to see the baby Jesus. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the egg, nutmeg, prosciutto, mortadella, bone marrow, and Parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on what to eat for New Year’s and the Epiphany in Italy! If you think we’re talking about a 3-course meal here, by the way, think again. How Italians do Christmas: ... Mass before returning home to the banquet that has been in intense preparation all day. By using our site you accept that use. In Naples, rinforzo (pickled vegetable salad with olives, anchovies and capers) is served daily between Christmas and the Epiphany (the first appearance of Jesus). As much (delicious!) Lunch is the biggest meal of the day for Italians and they literally keep on eating for hours! Cover the mixture with cling film and refrigerate for at least an hour. December 24th-La Viglia di Natale-Christmas Eve. It’s traditionally way more… but don’t worry, there’s a theological reason behind all of that indulgence! Natale lunch begins with a classic antipasto spread featuring dry cured meats, salumi, fine Italian cheeses, briny olives, artichokes and more. In this piece, Great Italian Chefs features editor Tom Shingler compares what Italians love to eat — and drink — during the holidays in northern Piemonte and southern Puglia. Feast, of SEVEN Fishes. You will need to cook the cappelletti in batches. 1 egg Whether the fish dishes that are actually served qualify as “lean,” of course, is another story! In Naples they serve vermicelli with clams, mussels or razor clams. In a separate sauce pan, bring 4 litres of water to a boil over medium heat with 1.5 tablespoons of salt. The pasta sheets symbolize the swaddling clothes of baby Jesus. 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