I've recently researched how Italians celebrate
Christmas for my Sweet Italian Christmas trilogy. The series idea sprang from a
trip to Naples and the Amalfi coast fifteen years ago with my husband to
celebrate our wedding anniversary.
We went just before Christmas. As we wandered the
narrow, cobbled streets in the old part of Naples, we were enchanted by the
street market dedicated to selling presepi, the nativity scenes that are such a
feature of Christmas in this part of Italy.
Everywhere you go you see them, in shop windows and
at the side of the roads. There are markets dedicated to selling the wooden
structures, like dolls houses, that they use to display their nativity scenes,
and the vast array of tiny figurines.
Traditionally, they have a presepe where we would
have a Christmas tree. From my research, it sounds as though our custom of
having a decorated Christmas tree is starting to spread across the country and
in some places they have both presepi and Christmas trees.
I had the pleasure of reading up on the wonderful
dishes the Italians prepare for their celebratory feasts. On Christmas Eve they
have family meals composed of pasta and many fish dishes.
On Christmas day they may have a roast chicken or
other roast meat and vegetables but they often also have fish and pasta.
In Italy, the Christmas holiday period lasts right
through to Epiphany on January 6th, when the good witch La Befana
comes in the night and fills the children's stockings with gifts.
Here is a recipe for some traditional Italian
cookies that might be enjoyed at Christmas.
Amaretti
Almond cookies that are quick and easy to prepare.
Wonderful with a good cup of coffee!
Makes 24 Cookies.
Ingredients:
7 oz ground almonds
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F
In a bowl put ground almonds, sugar, flour, egg
whites and vanilla. Mix thoroughly by hand or with a hand blender until the
mixture is combined to make a paste.
Form the mixture into balls about tablespoon size
and place on a parchment-covered baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden
brown.
Cool on a wire rack before eating.
Store in an airtight container.
Helen lives in
South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of
Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful, long-suffering
husband, she shares her home with a Westie and a burmilla cat. Helen's Sweet
Italian Christmas trilogy is set in Naples and the Amalfi coast. Italian
Christmas Proposal, Italian
Christmas Baby and Italian
Christmas Wedding. Find Helen on FaceBook and Twitter, or visit her website.
The warmth of your books make them perfect for the holiday season. Thanks for the taste of Italy in the celebration information and the cookie recipe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words, Billie.
DeleteI'm ready for some cookies, that's for sure! Yummy research for your book
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is very easy for busy people!
DeleteThe Amalfi coast is amazing. We were there a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteI loved it, Merrillee. I want to go back sometime. I've written four stories set there now!
ReplyDeleteI'm always attracted to nativities too, and I have to fight myself not to buy more than the one I have. (Okay, my kids have their own too--the one they are allowed to touch.)
ReplyDelete