DECEMBER 2007

Tutto Italiano
Benvenuto a Tutto Italiano

The Italian tradition of not eating meat on Christmas Eve is based on La Vigilia, the vigil of the holy night. On this sacred day, no meat could be consumed, and the typical dinner calls for seven fish dishes, but some follow a tradition of serving nine … or eleven … or thirteen.

Each has a reason – nine fish dishes are served in honor of the Holy Trinity, times three. Eleven fishes are served to represent the Apostles without Judas, while thirteen are for the Apostles plus Jesus. The most common, though, is seven; however, the reasons for seven are numerous.

Some of them include the seven pilgrimage churches in Rome, the Seven Hills of Rome, the Seven Wonders of the World, the seven days in the week, it took seven days for Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem, the seven deadly sins, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and – most commonly – the Seven Sacraments.

The menu of fish served is just as varied. Most traditional menus include baccala and smelts; and calamari, scungilli, and eel are also customary. Other common types of fish include anchovies, clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster. The fish can be prepared according to family traditions and preferences and each dish can be served as a separate course or all at once. Today, many families combine several fishes in one dish, such as the Italian fish stew cioppino. Other dishes may be a platter of various fish – either fried or broiled, seafood salad, seafood with pasta, or stuffed seafood.

Another Christmas Eve tradition is the arrival of Santa Claus, known to many as Saint Nicholas. While Italians cannot take credit for this tradition, they do claim him as the Saint in Bari. Located in Puglia, on the Adriatic Sea, Bari is home to the Basilica di San Nicola (in Italian), which houses the remains of Saint Nicholas.

Nicholas was born in Myra (now Turkey), and led a life of piety. He is the Patron Saint of Children (among others) and is known for his generosity; and while both show a correlation to the present day Santa Claus, some differences are apparent, among them compassion and not consumption. Still, Santa Claus is modeled after Saint Nicholas, a transformation that occurred in the early 1800s as America embraced Christmas.

St. Nicholas Society: The Story of St. Nicholas

The tradition of La Befana, however, is strictly Italian. Her story begins with a visit from the Three Wise Men. Their long journey took them through Italy where they stopped at her house, rested (some versions say they asked for directions to Bethlehem), and asked if she would like to join them to pay her respects to the new King. La Befana was too busy cleaning and refused to join them. After they left, she changed her mind and began her search for the Magi and the Holy Child, but she couldn't find them. So each year on the eve of Epiphany, she travels looking for the Christ Child; and in her travels she rewards good children with gifts and leaves pieces of coal for bad children.

Send a letter to La Befana. Click on entra (have sound on), then click on the doors. In the room you have several options. Click on the envelope (a separate window will pop up). Choose the age group (even adults can send a letter). After you have sent your letter, click on the organ and create some music or go through the small door under the stockings. Once there, click on the colored discs for a few surprises!

The Story of La Befana (In Italian)

For those in the New York area, on Saturday January 5, 2008, The Legend of La Befana will be performed at the Hall of the Church of the Most Precious Blood at 113 Baxter Street in Little Italy, New York City. The play is sponsored by Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge #2741 (OSIA) and The Little Italy Merchants Association. For more information contact John Fratta at 646. 261.8614.

Visit Little Italy in New York City

Visit Little Italy in Cleveland

Another Italian tradition is the classic Parmigiano Reggiano. View a compilation of commercials aired on Italian television (It’s a catchy tune and check out the bows on the cheese grater in the Christmas version.); then watch an entertaining video of schoolchildren’s tribute (guaranteed to make you smile!) to – what many claim is – the King of Cheese.

With Christmas just one week away, you may be in the midst of shopping, decorating, baking, cooking, and entertaining; and may be looking forward to a little relaxation. After all the festivities, escape with Janine Fiori in Con Amore, my tribute to Italian culture – its food, history, people, and passion.

To quote a message I received from Italy, “Buon natale e felicissimo anno nuovo!”

Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita
Janice Therese Mancuso
Author of Con Amore

www.jtmancuso.com
Thirty-One Days of Italians

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Please Note: On the date of publication, the links in this newsletter were current. In older newsletters, some links may be inactive if the URL has changed or is no longer available.

©2007 by Janice Therese Mancuso. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission except when quoted for promotional purposes. Publish with this credit: Excerpted from Tutto Italiano ©2007 by Janice Therese Mancuso. http://www.jtmancuso.com..


DECEMBER 2007 Tutto Italiano Benvenuto a Tutto Italiano The Italian tradition of not eating meat on Christmas Eve is based on La Vigilia, the vigil of the holy night. On this sacred day, no meat could be consumed, and the typical dinner calls for seven fish dishes, but some follow a tradition of serving nine … or eleven … or thirteen. Each has a reason – nine fish dishes are served in honor of the Holy Trinity, times three. Eleven fishes are served to represent the Apostles without Judas, while thirteen are for the Apostles plus Jesus. The most common, though, is seven; however, the reasons for seven are numerous. Some of them include the seven pilgrimage churches in Rome, the Seven Hills of Rome, the Seven Wonders of the World, the seven days in the week, it took seven days for Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem, the seven deadly sins, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and – most commonly – the Seven Sacraments. The menu of fish served is just as varied. Most traditional menus include baccala and smelts; and calamari, scungilli, and eel are also customary. Other common types of fish include anchovies, clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster. The fish can be prepared according to family traditions and preferences and each dish can be served as a separate course or all at once. Today, many families combine several fishes in one dish, such as the Italian fish stew cioppino. Other dishes may be a platter of various fish – either fried or broiled, seafood salad, seafood with pasta, or stuffed seafood. Another Christmas Eve tradition is the arrival of Santa Claus, known to many as Saint Nicholas. While Italians cannot take credit for this tradition, they do claim him as the Saint in Bari. Located in Puglia, on the Adriatic Sea, Bari is home to the Basilica di San Nicola (in Italian), which houses the remains of Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was born in Myra (now Turkey), and led a life of piety. He is the Patron Saint of Children (among others) and is known for his generosity; and while both show a correlation to the present day Santa Claus, some differences are apparent, among them compassion and not consumption. Still, Santa Claus is modeled after Saint Nicholas, a transformation that occurred in the early 1800s as America embraced Christmas. St. Nicholas Society: The Story of St. Nicholas The tradition of La Befana, however, is strictly Italian. Her story begins with a visit from the Three Wise Men. Their long journey took them through Italy where they stopped at her house, rested (some versions say they asked for directions to Bethlehem), and asked if she would like to join them to pay her respects to the new King. La Befana was too busy cleaning and refused to join them. After they left, she changed her mind and began her search for the Magi and the Holy Child, but she couldn't find them. So each year on the eve of Epiphany, she travels looking for the Christ Child; and in her travels she rewards good children with gifts and leaves pieces of coal for bad children. Send a letter to La Befana. Click on entra (have sound on), then click on the doors. In the room you have several options. Click on the envelope (a separate window will pop up). Choose the age group (even adults can send a letter). After you have sent your letter, click on the organ and create some music or go through the small door under the stockings. Once there, click on the colored discs for a few surprises! The Story of La Befana (In Italian) For those in the New York area, on Saturday January 5, 2008, The Legend of La Befana will be performed at the Hall of the Church of the Most Precious Blood at 113 Baxter Street in Little Italy, New York City. The play is sponsored by Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge #2741 (OSIA) and The Little Italy Merchants Association. For more information contact John Fratta at 646. 261.8614. Visit Little Italy in New York City Visit Little Italy in Cleveland Another Italian tradition is the classic Parmigiano Reggiano. View a compilation of commercials aired on Italian television (It’s a catchy tune and check out the bows on the cheese grater in the Christmas version.); then watch an entertaining video of schoolchildren’s tribute (guaranteed to make you smile!) to – what many claim is – the King of Cheese. With Christmas just one week away, you may be in the midst of shopping, decorating, baking, cooking, and entertaining; and may be looking forward to a little relaxation. After all the festivities, escape with Janine Fiori in Con Amore, my tribute to Italian culture – its food, history, people, and passion. To quote a message I received from Italy, “Buon natale e felicissimo anno nuovo!” Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita Janice Therese Mancuso Author of Con Amore www.jtmancuso.com Thirty-One Days of Italians ~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~ Please Note: On the date of publication, the links in this newsletter were current. In older newsletters, some links may be inactive if the URL has changed or is no longer available. ©2007 by Janice Therese Mancuso. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission except when quoted for promotional purposes. Publish with this credit: Excerpted from Tutto Italiano ©2007 by Janice Therese Mancuso. http://www.jtmancuso.com.. Tutto Italiano Newsletter HOME