| |
 |
-
Be My Italian Valentine! |
|
Part 1: Myth of the Italian Lover
Italian lovers are famous throughout history: Paolo and Francesca, the ill-fated pair described in Dante's La Divina Commedia; Romeo e Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet), the two young lovers from Verona immortalized by Shakespeare; and Renzo and Lucia in I Promessi Sposi, written by Alessandro Manzoni from 1825-27, who succeeded in marrying each other only after overcoming many difficulties and obstacles.
In classical history, the Roman holiday Lupercalia was a pagan spring celebration. Priests called luperci participated in ritual sacrifices and fertility rites during the wild, chaotic festivities.
So with all this history of love and romance, spring lust and eros, debauchery and revelry, it would only seem natural that Italy, the purported land of romance, would celebrate Valentine's Day with great passion and joy.
Myth and Reality
It may be disappointing to learn, then, that although Italy may be the country of love and lovers, the holiday is experienced as somewhat foreign, imported from the U.S. just like Halloween and Mother's Day. In Italy il giorno della festa degli innamorati is exclusively a celebration for couples or lovers. Children, family members, and friends do not exchange presents. In recent years some commercialism of the American type has crept in, but there is little of the blatant guilt-inducing displays of Godiva chocolates, sexy lingerie, Valentine's cards, or other smancerie (over-wrought, cloying sentiments).
However, for those who are in love Valentine's Day in Italy is an important one to show their beloved how much they care. In the evening couples usually go to dinner at a pizzeria or ristorante. Depending on the age of the pair, gifts could include red roses or perfume, diamonds, or the famous Baci Perugina. These small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts contain a small slip of paper with a romantic poetic quote in four languages.
It is strange to think that Saint Valentine, who was renowned for his chastity, became the patron saint of lovers. The historical antecedent comes from two sources. During classical Roman times, Emperor Claudius II decreed marriage forbidden for soldiers. A priest named Valentine ignored this decree and encouraged young people to be united in holy matrimony. For this, he was sentenced to prison and executed on February 14th.
In 1465, Pope Paul II authorized the distribution of marriage gifts to poor women. The first ceremony was set for February 14th, and Saint Valentine, whose sainthood was celebrated on this day, became known as the protector of lovers.
The Italian language is rich in expressions and idioms, and frasi d'amore on Valentine's Day are especially endearing. In English, the expression "I love you" is ubiquitous, while in Italian "Ti amo" is used only between lovers, never with friends, family, or inanimate objects. Instead, the expressions "Vuoi bene" or "Ti voglio bene" are preferred. When in doubt, refer to an Italian language relationship primer. For the truly romantic, learn how to say 'I Love You' in Italian.
 Italian Valentine Vocabulary List
Click to hear the highlighted word spoken by a native speaker.
Celebrating St. Joseph's Day |
The celebration of St. Joseph's day as it was done in my mother's family started in the small towns of Italy. Those who wanted to participate in the "devotion" would prepare a feast of meatless dishes, with a minimum of 13 dishes. Three people were chosen to represent Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Before starting the meal they would say special prayers to St. Joseph invocating his help in caring for family. The special dishes were served one at a time to the each of the three "saints" who would taste each one, but didn't have to finish each dish. It was more of a symbolic action. The leftovers of the feast would then be given to the poor of the village.
Bread at the feast was very special, my mother's cousin Antonietta saved her bread from her very first feast; about 40 yrs. Other dishes that would be served were antipasto, white beans, spaghetti (with meatless sauce or with bread crumb topping), baked and fried codfish, broccoli rahb, salmon balls, stuffed peppers, rice pudding, orange salad, rum cake, wine and of course zeppole di San Giuseppe.
Recipes
Links
Feast of St. Joseph From the Fish Eaters website. Information about the customs, prayers, as well as recipes for many traditional foods. St. Joseph's Night in New Orleans A 1997 article about the celebration in New Orleans by John Sinclair. St. Joseph's Day Wikipedia's entry for St Joseph's Day St. Joseph's Table Information about St. Joseph's Day Tables in Sicily and elsewhere. Several very nice pictures, inclufing those sent in by readers. St Joseph's Day Altars A great page with a thorough explanation about St. Joseph's Day altars and their place in Louisiana culture. Includes history, symbolism and pictures of altars. St. Joseph's Day - Czech The tradition of St. Joseph's Day in the Czech Republic. St. Joseph's Day - Poland Some Polish St. Joseph's Day traditions from Barbara's Eastern European Food Blog
-
Easter Baking Traditions
-
by Judy Perin
Spring has arrived full of pastel colors and tulips and daffodils blooming. Colored Eggs, Bunnies Hopping, Easter Bonnets and Easter Parades, all signs that Easter is right around the corner. Time to also start thinking about baking Easter breads and sweets for your Easter breakfasts, brunches, and dinners.
Primarily, Easter is known as a Christian holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. But did you know that the word Easter was taken from the goddess of spring, Eostre. Sacrifices were made to the Goddess Eostre, whose festival was celebrated in the spring around the time of the Passover.
Over the years a wide variety of symbols have become associated with Easter. The fashionable Easter bonnet, the cuddly Easter Bunny, colorful and creative Easter eggs, the spectacular Easter parades, beautiful Easter lilys, the symbolic Paschal candle and the peaceful Paschal lamb are all symbols that have become associated with Easter.
Christians in over 80 nations will be celebrating Easter. Every family and ethnic culture has various traditions, symbols and customs that lead up to the celebration of Easter. On Palm Sunday, baskets, flowers and crosses are woven from the palms to be blessed and then given to family and friends. Others prepare baskets to take to the church to be blessed by the priests on Holy Saturday. The baskets contains food, such as the colored eggs, meats, cheeses and the Easter Bread that is to be eaten at the Easter dinner.
Easter is known as La Pasqua in Italy and is celebrated in many Italian homes with Easter breads and pastries. In some Italian homes a variety of egg omelets, called frittatas, along with an assortment of sausages and other meats, are served on Holy Saturday with Pane di Pasqua or Italian Easter bread. Pane di Pasqua is a braided bread with colored eggs nestled within the bread. Also served are breads shaped in the form of chicks or doves and dough babies, which are breads that are baked with a whole egg placed in their 'belly'. All of these foods are brought to church for the Easter Vigil to be blessed before being served to family and friends.
The Polish Culture create a basket and call this tradition Swieconka or the Blessing of the Baskets. For the Swieconka, the baskets are lined with white linen and are filled with some of the following items: Butter shaped like a lamb called a Maslo, Horseradish or Chrzan, Kielbasa, Decorated Eggs or Pisanki, and Babka, a Polish Easter Bread.
A variety of traditional Easter breads and baked goods are made and served in many different parts of the world. Here are just a few that you may like to try.
List of Italian Holiday
Italian Holidays, Festivals, Feast Days
Below is a list of the Italian national holidays plus feast days for some of the major Italian cities and a representative sample of festivals:
January
1: Capodanno (New Year's Day)
6: Epifania/La Befana (Epiphany)
7: Giornata Nazionale della Bandiera (Flag Day)—celebrated principally in Reggio nell'Emilia
February
3: San Biagio (patron saint of Doues)
9: San Rinaldo (patron saint of Nocera Umbra)
14: Festa degli Innamorati (San Valentino)
Movable: Martedì Grasso (Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday)—part of Carnevale
Movable: Mercoledì di Ceneri (Ash Wednesday)
March
8: La Festa della Donna
16: San Ilario and San Taziano (patron saints of Gorizia)
19: Festa del Papà (San Giuseppe)
19: San Proietto (patron saint of Randazzo)
Movable (can also occur in April): Domenica delle Palme (Palm Sunday)
Movable (can also occur in April): Venerdì Santo (Good Friday)
Movable (can also occur in April): Pasqua (Easter Sunday)
Monday after Easter (can also occur in April): Pasquetta, Lunedì di Pasqua (Easter Monday)
April
1: Pesce d'Aprile (April Fool's Day)
25: Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day)
25: San Marco (patron saint of Venezia)
May
1: Festa del Lavoro (May Day)
June
2: Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day)
24: San Giovanni Battista (patron saint of Firenze)
29: San Pietro and San Paolo (patron saints of Roma)
July
10: San Paterniano (patron saint of Grottammare)
15: Santa Rosalia (patron saint of Palermo)
August
2: San Alessio (patron saint of Sant'Alessio in Aspromonte)
15: Ferragosto / Assunzione (Day of the Assumption)
September
19: San Gennaro (patron saint of Napoli)
22: San Maurizio (patron saint of Calasetta)
October
4: San Petronio (patron saint of Bologna)
November
1: Ognissanti (All Saints Day)
2: Il Giorno dei Morti (Day of the Dead)
3: San Giusto (patron saint of Trieste)
11: San Martino (patron saint of Foiano della Chiana)
December
6: San Nicola (patron saint of Bari)
7: Sant'Ambrogio (patron saint of Milano)
8: Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception)
25: Natale (Christmas)
26: Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day)
31: San Silvestro (St. Silvester's Day)
Famous Italians
Actors
An ever growing list of resources devoted to Italian actors.
Actresses
This is your guide to the many beautiful women who have delighted us for years.
Architects & Sculptors
Italy has been blessed with many great architects and sculptors. There is Brunelleschi, Donatello, Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Palladio to name a few. Learn more about the great masters and their works with this helpful guide.
Athletes
Many Italians have had success in various sports. Here is a list of some of the great athletes from our heritage.
Authors
Italy has been blessed with many great authors throughout the centuries. They include the likes of Dante, Machiavelli, Petrarca and Boccaccio to name a few.
Baseball Players
Throughout history there have been many baseball players of Italian heritage.
Basketball Players
In Italy the sport is called pallacanestro and it is one that is growing in popularity. Here is a list of players with Italian heritage that have played the sport.
Comedians
We have laughed at many of their jokes and humorous movies for decades.
Directors
You have seen many of their films, now you can learn more about the various Italian directors.
Explorers
Italians have navigated the world for centuries discovering new territories throughout their many journeys.
Football Players
Throughout history there have been many American football players of Italian heritage.
Hockey Players
Hockey is a fast paced and physical sport played on ice. Here is a list of players with Italian heritage that have played the sport.
Inventions
Italians have made significant contributions throughout history. Here is a list of items that have been created by those of Italian ancestry.
Italian American Governors
Find an impressive list of Italian Americans past and present who have served as Governor in the United States. This includes the state they governed and the years they were in office.
Italian Nobel Prize Winners
Since 1901 there have been a number of Italian and Italian Americans that have won this prestigious award, which is given annually to people for their achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics.
Kings
Throughout history there have been many kings who have ruled various regions of Italy. It wasn't until Italy became a unified nation in 1861 that a king actually ruled the entire peninsula.
Mathematicians
From the greatest mathematician of the middle ages to the first woman to write a mathematics book Italians have contributed greatly to the field of mathematics.
Painters
Italy has been blessed with many great painters like Botticelli, Giotto, da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael to name a few. These resources will help you learn more about the great painters of Italy and their many masterpieces.
Patriots/War Heroes
Wars have plagued us since the beginning of time. During hard times and conditions heroes emerged and forged a place in history.
Presidents of Italy
The President is the head of State of Italy. This list shows all of the presidents since Italy became a republic.
Prime Ministers - Italian Republic
The Prime Minister is officially called the President of the Council of Ministers. This list shows all of the Prime Ministers since Italy became a republic on June 2, 1946.
Prime Ministers - Kingdom of Italy
Between March 17, 1861 and June 2, 1946 Italy was ruled by a monarchy. This lists shows all of the Prime Ministers who served during this period.
Saints
Here is a list of some of the saints that many of us so often pray too.
Singers
Resources to many of the popular singers that have blessed us with their music.
Who Am I?
Will you be able to identify who these great Italians are? Each segment will list
Homemade Wine Making Instructions
by Jerry Tommarello
We have received many questions via email concerning our article on Homemade Wine. A number of people have asked how to make their own version of homemade wine. Jerry Tommarello has kindly put together a more detailed account of how he and his friends make their homemade wine.
The grapes we used were cabernet sauvignon. This is a matter of taste preference. These cabernet grapes cost more (about $21-26 per 36 lb. box) but the result is a better tasting wine. Less expensive grapes cost about $16-20 per 36 lb. box. The prices change from year to year and are probably different in other cities. The key to making good wine is use good grapes.
The old timers used zinfandel & Muscat grapes and many had their own quantity of each but I think 1 muscato for every 3 zinfandel is common. I am not sure why they did this but I think the muscato was used to increase the alcohol. Some old timers would put in a fifth of whiskey also.
I have a crusher/destemmer which crushes the grapes then removes them from the stem. If the stems are left in it will result in a harsh tasting wine. Before I bought this machine we would manually remove the stem, this took a long time. We do not add any yeast but it can be added to the crushed grapes. It must be yeast for wine making not baking yeast. What I understand is the grape has its own yeast (the white powder on its skin) but there is good yeast and bad yeast. Add wine yeast supposedly ensures fermentation and keeps the bad yeast from starting. It will take a couple of days (depending on the room and wine temperature) for the primary fermentation to start but when it does you will smell gas being released and a cap of grape skins will rise. The cap must be pushed down and wine stirred a couple times a day for 5-7 days.
The next thing to do is press the skins. We fill the carboys with half of the free run juice and the rest with pressed juice. Another key to wine making is to ensure everything is clean. I buy sal soda which we use on everything carboys, press, crusher, pots, etc. Sal soda does not foam up do not use dish detergent. If a little sal soda is left in a carboy it will not harm the wine. Sal soda eats through old wine stains, it also burns your hand when wet. It is not expensive and it can be purchased at wine supply stores. I get some from Presque Isle Wine in Erie, PA they have a catalogue with tips on wine making. Some people, not old timers, add sulfates to their carboys and every time the move the wine to a different container. I do not use sulfates it has a smell to it. Commercial wineries use it to stabilize the wine (keep it from browning or turning) which is being shipped and changes in temperature occur. Do you know they tell you to let commercial wine breathe I think it is to have the sulfates burn off. For the secondary fermentation the carboys are sealed with a water filled air lock which lets the gas out and air cannot get in. Another key to wine making is air, light and high temperature will make your wine go bad.
At this point we let the carboys do their secondary fermentation for a couple months before racking (transfer to new carboy leaving the sediment behind). I think this initial racking can be done a month after pressing but we have never done it because of our schedules. We usually do the first racking after the first of the year and even latter. An old Italian told me to rack the wine on or shortly after a full moon. I have found out that this helps the sediment drop to the bottom due to low atmospheric pressure. A hose is placed in the full carboy just above the sediment and the other end is left at the top of the empty carboy so the wine drops and is aerated. This aeration is only done on the first racking. All the other rackings has the hose all the way in the bottom of the empty carboy. Usually two or three rackings is sufficient. I rack two times to carboys. Then on demand to gallons and finally to bottles when needed.
Related Information:
|
|
