ITALIAN ITALIAN CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS

DINNERDINNER

• Christmas dinner varies throughout Italy.

• Each Italian region has its own traditional festive dishes.

• However there are some similarities to the nature and size of the meal

• It is usually very abundant and consists of many courses

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve has a magical atmosphere in Christmas Eve has a magical atmosphere in ItalyItaly

Families often get together for a special mealFamilies often get together for a special meal Traditionally, Christmas Eve is considered as a Traditionally, Christmas Eve is considered as a

“giorno di magro”, that’s to say a “lean day”“giorno di magro”, that’s to say a “lean day” However this doesn’t mean that the meal is However this doesn’t mean that the meal is

poor, but only that no one eats meat. poor, but only that no one eats meat. The reason is that on Christmas Eve the The reason is that on Christmas Eve the

Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat. That’s why everybody eats fishmeat. That’s why everybody eats fish

However, even though meat is absent in However, even though meat is absent in Christmas Eve dinner, it is very Christmas Eve dinner, it is very substantial and consists of many substantial and consists of many delicious coursesdelicious courses

Although nowadays this tradition isn’t Although nowadays this tradition isn’t as strictly observed as in the past, many as strictly observed as in the past, many people, particularly in southern Italy (in people, particularly in southern Italy (in Naples and in Aversa too) still have a Naples and in Aversa too) still have a meat-free meal on Christmas Eve.meat-free meal on Christmas Eve.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: STARTERS

• Christmas Eve meal usually starts with a selection of antipasti (starters):

• fish salad• shrimp cocktail• fried calamari and shrimps• octopus salad• “insalata di rinforzo (cauliflower salad with oil,

vinegar, olives, anchovies and pickles)• prickly pizza.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: FIRST COURSE

• As for the first course all Neapolitan families prepare spaghetti with clams.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: SECOND COURSES

• Then there are different second courses:

• fried salt cod

• grilled or fried eel

• baked fish.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: DRIED FRUIT

• Finally, we eat dried fruit:

• Dates

• Figs

• Nuts

• Chestnuts

• Almonds

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: DESSERT

• As for dessert, at Christmas Eve all Italian families have panettone or pandoro

• In some regions of Northern Italy people also have pandolce, a heavy fruit cake with pine

• On the contrary in Southern Italy we also eat the traditional neapolitan cakes: struffoli, paste reali, susamielli, roccocò and mustacciuoli.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

• Dinner on Christmas Day goes on for hours.

• The Christmas day menu is generally freer than Christmas Eve’s.

• It usually starts with a selection of antipasti and a glass or two of sparkling prosecco.

• Then there is a hearty filled pasta dish, such as agnolotti, ravioli or tortellini. In Southern Italy we usually eat Lasagna.

• Most families follow with a roast or baked lamb with potatoes. Christmas dinner continues with dried fruits and cakes: panettone, pandoro and the traditional neapolitan cakes: struffoli, paste reali, susamielli, roccocò and mustacciuoli.

NEW YEAR’S NEW YEAR’S EVEEVE

• On New Year’s Eve another special meal is prepared.

• This often includes the same courses as Christmas Eve dinner.

• The only difference is the addition of a "cotechino" with lentils dish

• Eating lentils and “cotechino” is considered to bring good fortune (Lentils symbolize money, while the “cotechino” simbolyzes health)

At midnight we eat panettone and make a toast with the Italian sparkling wine to greet the new year

• Happy New Year 2008 to our friends Združená stredná škola Trebišov, Slovacchia

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