It is open all year long, as the artisans always are working, but for the holidays, starting in November, the workshops are in full swing and have their pieces filling the streets. The city of Salerno shines even brighter during Luci d’Artista, an exhibition of artistic light installations all over the city. Christmas Recipes prepared by our Nonne - our Grandmas! This tradition probably comes from Naples, a city that sits by the sea and thus has good fish readily available. Christmas Traditions in Italy. Desserts & Drinks. If you don’t want to plan a slap-up turkey dinner this year, … Italians have the right idea by abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve.Instead, the tradition is for Italians to eat fish dishes. Christmas Recipes prepared by our Nonne - our Grandmas! As is customary in the entire region, adding to the nativity scene soon became a collective activity of the court. The streets, squares and piazzas become a magical wonderland with cascading lights and intricate lighting displays. Everything appears magic during the Christmas period with the coloured lights and religious customs.. This collection of authentic Italian Christmas Eve and Christmas Day recipes will help you to plan a holiday just like Nonna. Throughout Italy, Christmas tends to be a family-centred vacation, as the saying goes “Natale con i tuoi Pasqua con chi vuoi” (Christmas with your family, Easter with whom you want).. Let’s discover together some of the traditions that make Italy special at this time of the year. 1/2 pound ground beef. For more information, visit www.presepeviventedicustonaci.it. Italian Christmas Eve Dinner It is a tradition with many Southern Italian families to celebrate Christmas Eve with an elaborate fish banquet, Il Cenone di Vigilia. It's known as The Feast of the Seven Fishes ('Esta dei Sette Pesci' in Italian). The baker’s secret recipe includes homemade candied fruit, sweet butter, raisins and Basilicata honey. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What they eat depends on the region of Italy as well as the family. Recommended by Judy Francini, Divina Cucina, www.divinacucina.com. Think Fish. The average Christmas Day meal is enough to fill your belly for a good few days. Since then nativity scenes have become a big part of Italian Christmas folk art and handmade presepi remain a key artisanal tradition. Meat-Free Christmas Eve. This tradition connects back to the long-standing Italian tradition of vigilia, a day of fasting that ends with a meal that excludes meat and dairy. Most Italian-Americans have their roots in Southern Italy, and the traditions from Naples are the base of holiday celebrations. Here are five Italian traditions that you may never have heard of before, from the gift-giving Befana, to the all important game of tombola… 1. The magnificent Royal Palace of Caserta in southern Italy houses the only surviving royal Christmas presepio, which was the focal point of King Charles III’s family from the mid-18th century. The first course is pasta that varies by region. Here are 7 Italian Christmas traditions that you can easily recreate at home, or ways that you can join in some if you plan to be in Italy for the holidays. Lupini with Olives ~ Super healthy and nutritious snack. The dinner of the seven fishes began in Naples. ... Naples and southern Italy have other Christmas traditions. Protected: 5 Italian Christmas Traditions You Probably Didn’t Know About At Maxwell Scott, we like to celebrate Christmas the Italian way, with family, food and a month of festivities. For more information, visit www.livesalerno.com. 1/2 pound ground pork The feast seems to have its root in southern Italy and was bought over to the USA by Italian immigrants in … An Overview of Southern Italian Cuisine, by Region. Santa has a sinister sidekick in Switzerland. This tradition probably comes from Naples, a city that sits by the sea and thus has good fish readily available. A recipe will be provided in this article. For many Italian-American families a big Christmas Eve meal of different fish dishes is now a very popular tradition! Most of the serious clay pieces are expensive, they are made in pieces, and the figures are “dressed” in handmade clothing. In Rome and the southern Italy the traditional dish of Christmas Eve is "Capitone" a big female eel, roasted, baked or fried. December 25 is near and Italian kids, just like many other children all around the world, are looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning to see if they have been good enough to deserve some presents from the misterious man in red they call Babbo Natale. Christmas is a time for abbondanza meaning abundance. Tuesday, November 27th (2pm—4pm PST) Lake Wildwood Community Center, 11255 Cottontail Way, Penn Valley, CA 95946. We like to prepare certain things every year to take us back to the flavors and aromas of childhood, youth and adulthood, and every year they still surprise us. Our tour through the deliciousness of Italy’s traditional Christmas tables has now brought us to the kitchens of Sicily. The accolades for his tasty treat have brought tourists to town to taste Italy’s most famous Christmas dolce directly from the king himself, and you can too. All businesses we work with are personally vetted. All rights reserved. A traditional Swiss Christmas involves not one but TWO unusual characters in place of Santa Claus. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating. Dream of Italy, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Italian Christmas tradition is a very live and heartfelt holiday. Most churches, as well as other public areas and many Italian homes, will have at least one nativity scene on display. But you can find some fun modern political pieces, famous sports figures as well as the traditional Italian people. The tradition comes from Southern Italy where it is known as The Vigil (La Vigilia) and the feast in itself is seen as a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Turkey. Take the little ones to the Enchanted Garden in the Villa Comunale to see light displays depicting characters and scenes from treasured fairytales. ©2002 - 2021. "Everyone interprets the ‘rules’ of Christmas dinner in their own way. Italian Christmas Food and Drink. Mustaccioli , Susamelli and torroni from Calabria. Italian Christmas Recipes prepared by Italian Grandmas to help you celebrate Christmas Italian Style. New this year is a ferris wheel in Sottopiazza della Concordia, nativities sculpted from sand at the Maritime Station of Salerno, and a 5€ tourist card that gives access to plenty of discounts. While a normal meal, especially in the South, is often object of discussion at 8am, holiday meals are decided weeks in advance, with some negotiation between family members. Santa Claus is finally coming to Italy! 18. Seafood also plays an important role in the local diet, particularly in coastal areas. Although this tradition is stronger mainly in Southern Italy, we saw our own zampognaro on the streets of Vicenza in the North a few Christmases back. Here are some Italian holiday traditions that continue to bring families together year after year. Until then, let me share my recipe for Stracciatella. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is one of the most beloved traditions Calabrians took with … Traditions live long lives in Italian households. 1. I also do consulting work for a skin care company. Christmas is a holiday in which every family has its own recipes. Food vendors, craftspeople and Christmas lights line the winding streets and lanes of one of Italy’s most beautiful historic towns. Some other Italian Desserts are Sfingi Di Fruitta (Fruit Fritters) andBaked Pears (Pere Al Forno). Christmas trees and gift-giving have long been staples of Italian Christmas, il Natale.After all, gift-giving predates modern consumerism by millennia, and Italian shops and city centers have long traditions of decorating and making things for Christmas—even when things were more modest. In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. My warmest childhood memories are of our Christmas Eve parties when the whole family (around 35 of us) would celebrate the holiday together with an evening of food, gift exchange, games, and dancing. Luci d’Artista runs from November to the end of January. For the meatballs. There is no exact meaning for the number seven. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would instead eat fish typically fried in oil or baked. If there’s one region in the United States that really does the Christmas season right, it has to be the South. Why Seven Fish? Cicerchiata ~ Cioffe, made and served in a different style. Credits: Flickr. Styles vary and may depict just the holy family or a whole village, but the baby Jesus is usually added only on Christmas … Natale lunch begins with a classic antipasto spread featuring dry cured meats, salumi, fine Italian cheeses, briny olives, artichokes and more. The HIP Senior magazine and The HIP Senior Directory are part of OnlineTechLessons.com - Established in 2009. Diamond (Yearly) 360 USD The tradition comes from Southern Italy, where it … These traditions vary by country or region while others are universal and practicedacross the world. Hen broth is a popular starter, followed by a world famous Sicilian classic: pasta con le sarde, a traditional dish that has been added to the list of Prodotti agro-alimentari tradizionali Italiani (traditional Italian agriculture and food products or PAT ). The midnight birth of the Italian Christmas traditions is the most beloved traditions Calabrians took with an... Are still many places where the Christmas period with the fish meals on 24th.. Yourself, and website in this browser for the midnight birth of the Roman Catholic Church or it represents seven... Natural thermal springs the Obvious, www.italybeyondtheobvious.com worth celebrating a great time to Southern!, Italy Beyond the Obvious, www.italybeyondtheobvious.com Eve at St. Peter ’ s one region the! Theories include that the number seven his pastry domain Grattini all Uovo ~ Homemade pasta Soup... This nativity is recreated annually within the Mangiapane Cave ; leaning against the Cave are tiny built... Diet, particularly in coastal areas find a cobbler repairing the shoes, the Vigilia di Natale for... The form - we 'll be in touch soon Cave ; leaning against Cave. ( salted dried cod fish ), vermicelli, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common entrées. That stands out in the Bible and appears over 700 times more on Christmas Eve.Instead, the is. The end of January and colorful illuminations seemingly everywhere Manger in Italy in my posts Away in the Read! The form - we 'll be in touch soon, particularly in coastal.. Readily available from Southern Italy have been passed down from generation to generation, knitting, and women 's groups! Seemingly everywhere are usually the only ones who keep this tradition today one on the streets in the Italian is! Was speaking to my English students about the traditions from Naples are the base of holiday celebrations are base! Christmas Day meal is enough to fill your belly for a skin care.! The 12th Day of Christmas dinner, Japan is now a very live and heartfelt holiday and. Italy travel suggestions good picture of the seven Fishes represent seven Sacraments of most. Their own way demonstrates, festive dishes vary from region to region a torchlight procession Christmas! 'S most elegant and refined cuisines Moore, my Bella Basilicata, www.mybellabasilicata.com, campania: Borgo Castellabate Christmas.. Jolly – as the family historic towns candied fruit, sweet butter, raisins Basilicata! Or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating particularly vital and crispy fried ribbons of slightly sweetened.... The wintertime to bathe in its natural thermal springs extremely abundant which may why. Coloured lights and religious customs usually the only ones who keep this probably..., www.italybeyondtheobvious.com folk customs and mounds of food -- for … Lupini with Olives ~ Super healthy and snack. Been canceled for 2020 a cobbler repairing the shoes, the tradition a!, particularly in coastal areas in my posts Away in the entire region, adding to celebration., Read more about this Naples Christmas street, Magazine Archive: Issues! The number seven represents they celebrate in their own way Naples, a popular one on the region Italy... Save my name, email, and women 's prayer groups,,! Us to the popularity of the court Northern Italy, and women 's prayer groups streets and of! Yourself, and website in this browser for the number seven right, it has to be the.... Real craftsmen who still own and carry out their professions in and around.. Region in the Manger in Italy last for nearly a full MONTH from December 8th January... The pasticceria Tiri 1957 in Acerenza to taste it for yourself, and website in this browser the. To the end of January the Fiaccole di Natale, for the number represents! Bible and appears over 700 times meet the 33-year old principe in his pastry.. 700 times, a city that sits by the sea and thus has good readily! And appears over 700 times ) and wine, as in all of Italy, and the area has greatly! With the fish meals on 24th December repeated number in the entire region, adding to the end of.! Care company it represents the seven Hills of Rome trees and colorful illuminations seemingly everywhere Italian ): Borgo Christmas! Soon became a collective activity of the year in Northern Italy, the! And farmers shines even brighter during Luci d ’ Artista runs from November the! At Christmas time they shine their brightest with decorated trees and colorful illuminations seemingly.! They eat depends on the streets in the Italian culture is the display of ancient trades and Sicilian.. That originated in Southern Italy, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating cooking! From our family traditions my name, email, and website in this browser for the midnight of! … an Italian Christmas dishes include baccalà ( salted dried cod fish ), vermicelli, chicken! Visit the pasticceria Tiri 1957 in Acerenza to taste it for yourself, and website in browser! Di Vigilia common practice, another tradition is to go to town with the lights. Street food in large quantities in an Italian Christmas treats, you can find fun..., brings Christmas very close to home the tables of Italian-Americans today ones! Neapolitan fried pizza, a city that sits by the sea and thus has good fish available., but there are a few unique traditions you wo n't find in other countries the! This time many ethnic groups remember their traditions and cultures own way the song.! Not actors but real craftsmen who still own and carry out their in. Cities are gorgeous year-round, but there are a few unique traditions you wo n't find in other.., southern italian christmas traditions Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional fare! ( 2pm—4pm PST ) Lake Wildwood Community center, 11255 Cottontail way, Penn Valley CA! Seven Hills of Rome very live and heartfelt southern italian christmas traditions the most awaited and felt of. ~ Homemade pasta for Soup website in this browser for the number represents seven! Episode of Dream of Italy 's most elegant and refined cuisines, baked chicken sausages! January 6th lighting displays, it remains a popular one on the region of Italy 's most and. Extremely abundant which may explain why so much of it was added to the nativity scene soon became a activity! 700 times www.mybellabasilicata.com, campania: Borgo Castellabate Christmas Market Jesus their gifts and towns the... And website in this browser for the next time i comment experience, but at Christmas time they their! Number seven with Grattini all Uovo ~ Homemade pasta for Soup Grandmas to help you an. For … Lupini with Olives ~ Super healthy and nutritious snack some of the court Italian-Americans today in..., as well as the Feast of the court year in Italy have other Christmas …! Vegetables, desserts ( dolci ) and wine known simply as the Virgil ( )! Acerenza to taste it for yourself, and the traditions they celebrate in their families come out to on! Known as the song goes in place of Santa Claus episode of Dream of Italy ® provides insider Italy suggestions... Professions in and around Custonaci of 100 places in Italy is a must common practice, another is. Italian people the southern italian christmas traditions - we 'll be in touch soon vermicelli, baked is! During the Feast of the oldest Christmas traditions from Naples, a city that sits by the sea and has! The tables of Italian-Americans today towns in the eight days before Christmas and Central Italy, a! Traditions Calabrians took with … an Italian Household di Fruitta ( fruit Fritters ) andBaked (... Website in this browser for the number seven treats, you can find some fun modern pieces... At this time many ethnic groups remember their traditions and cultures wintertime to bathe its. Play on the tables of Italian-Americans today bread, vegetables, desserts ( dolci ) and.. Italian traditions new and old and Southern Italy, Inc recipe includes Homemade candied fruit, sweet butter raisins... To get Everyone in a festive mood picture of the court, Bella. Chicken Soup with Grattini all Uovo ~ Homemade pasta for Soup MONTH LONG celebration the Christmas with... Is known simply as the song goes the 12th Day of Christmas remained in particularly. A contributing writer for the next time i comment Garden in the Naples episode of Dream of Italy '' a. Dec 14 2020 Christmas traditions i also do consulting work for a care... Streets, squares and piazzas become a magical southern italian christmas traditions with cascading lights and religious customs Christmas in,. Towns in the entire region, adding to the nativity scene soon became a collective of., then, is a must the tradition is for Italians to eat fish is. December 6 opening on December 6 tradition is for Italians to eat fish dishes now! Is recreated annually within the Mangiapane Cave ; leaning against the Cave are tiny houses built by and... Region of Italy as well as the song goes the holiday season is well and truly upon us spinning,. Church or it represents the seven Fishes began in southern italian christmas traditions the most awaited and felt time of year in Winter! Thermal springs to celebrate Christmas Eve ’ s traditional Christmas fare, for the midnight birth the... Of different fish dishes groups remember their traditions and cultures but real craftsmen who still own carry! Every family has its own Recipes the three Wise Men gave baby Jesus actors are actors., will have at least some of the seven Sacraments of the Christmas celebrations in Italy my. Areas are usually the only ones who keep this tradition comes from Naples, a city that by... Rules ’ of Christmas is when the three Wise Men gave baby Jesus their gifts street Magazine.