Christmas in Italy: A Taste of Italy

It has been a full and interesting past two week in many ways.
This is my first morning to reflect and to share some of our experiences with you. Although this theme was just a very small part of our Christmas gatherings, it was meaningful and special as we celebrated with our own family on Saturday, with my sister and her family on Sunday and with our dear friends, H&M on Monday. They can all attest to the fact that although it was all far from perfect, it was the walks, the games and the fellowship and sharing that made our time together so special.
Thank you to all of you for being a special part of our Christmas celebrations.
Grazie Molto! Arrivederci!
More Italian phrases here
(and yes K, we missed you and wish you were here to join us)

Games played

Our yearly tradition of playing Masterpiece with our friends H&M

I thought that I would give you just a sampling of how we celebrate Christmas around the world and this year, in Italy. I don't have a lot of time, so it isn't really in order, but it will give you an idea in the next three posts.
We were privileged on Monday to have our dear friends, H&M in. They are always so enthusiastic about our Christmas tradition of international cuisine as they have traveled the world over and have experienced much of what we are learning. They are always able to impart insight as well as their language skills and knowledge to increase the level of interest in our home. My gift of linguistics is almost nil as most of what I try to pronounce comes out with a dutch accent. I am learning though...
With their company on Monday, we enjoyed singing Adeste Fideles in latin, followed by H leading us in a latin prayer which was so beautiful. We enjoyed listening to the Italian National Anthem and viewing the beautiful scenery in the countryside of Italy.

Festive Table

Music from Italy as background

Beverages

The menus consisted of :
Appetizer was melon wrapped in prosciutto
Salads included caprese salad, ravioli balsamic, artichoke caprese
Cheese including parmigiano reggiano and pecorino toscano stagionato
(a centuries old table cheese from Tuscany,it is sturdy and nutty with a hint of salt o n the palette pleasant and inviting nature appeals to novices and cheese lovers alike.)
Italian Breads
Soup which was spinach tortellini with Italian sausage
Assorted Pastas served with chicken and shrimp
Dessert was tirimisu, but also trifle and pie for those who wanted something other than the traditional Italian dessert.
Coffee was Toscano espresso

Melon wrapped in Prosciutto

Biscotti, Pupatelle and Grappa Chocolates

Tirimisu, Trifle and Pecan Pie

Decadent Dessert

Italian goodies from our friends H&M

Sheet music for Adeste Fideles found here
Trivia Sheet found here
And more interesting Italian Fun Facts can be read here
Of course we had to listen to the Italian National Anthem with our friends, H&M.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Italian cities and countryside:

Christmas in Italy: Books Browsed

"A festively decorated house filled with family, friends,
and song,and a holiday table laden with delicous food
~that's an Italian Christmas.
Buon Natale!"

..."Italy and its wonderful flavors have always had a major influence on Jamie Oliver's food and cooking. In Jamie's Italy, he travels this famously gastronomic country paying homage to the classic dishes of each region and searching for new ideas to bring home. The result is a sensational collection of Italian recipes, old and new, that will ensure that Italy's influence reaches us all."

...."beautiful food photography and locales, and, of course, David's sense of dolce vita, the sweet life. It's all about taking a relaxed approach to the everyday, and the foundation of this lifestyle is simple, elegant food"

..."featuring fabulous fast foods, ingenious short cuts,
terrific time-saving ideas and easy, delicious meals"

..."simple, elegant home cooking with good ingredients
and a minimum of fuss"

Christmas in Italy: Shopping Adventure

One of my favourite food shopping experiences is to visit Vincenzos in Waterloo, owned and operated by brothers, Tony and Carmine Caccioppoli, 2nd generation Caccioppolis in Canada.
"Today Vincenzo's is known locally for having the best sandwiches in town. They carry a wide selection of olive oils, vinegars, homemade pasta, olives, deli meats, cheese and their famous "Artichoke Caponata ". Vincenzo's carries a wide selection of homemade specialities, such as homemade pasta, sauces and pasta dishes always in the tradition and commitment of using only the best and freshest ingredients in everything made on the premises." Vincenzo's new location also includes a Butcher, Flower Shop, Seafood, Gelato Bar and Cafe.

You can read more at their website here: Vincenzos, including reading the moving story about their humble beginnings in 1951 from Naples, Italy to Canada.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

Mediterranean Olives

Italian Crusty Buns

Panettone

Primacoccia Olive Oil

The results of my visit to Vincenzos

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

Adeste Fideles

(O Come, All Ye Faithful : Latin)

Adeste Fideles
Laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte
Regem angelorum
Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum

Cantet nunc io
Chorus angelorum
Cantet nunc aula caelestium
Gloria, gloria
In excelsis Deo
Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum

Ergo qui natus
Die hodierna
Jesu, tibi sit gloria
Patris aeterni
Verbum caro factus
Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum

Armchair Travel Tuesday: Buon Natale!

Traditions are very important to our family and we have many fond memories of past Christmas celebrations. One of the traditions we have developed and embraced over the years may not seem very traditional to some, but for us it has become a special part of our Christmas season. It began in part because we home-schooled the children when they were younger and used this approach to teach them about Christmas celebrations around the world. When our girls were older, they became involved with an organization called YWAM where they spent time in other countries.
We have studied and experienced countries such as China, India, Egypt, The Netherlands, Ireland, England and Wales, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and last year it was Indonesia,
all through arm chair travel from the comfort of our home.
This year when we were discussing which country to choose, two of our children suggested Italy in part because of their wonderful cuisine. Research was done and menus were discussed. Here is what we have learned so far:

In Italy, the Christmas season is filled with much music and singing. The streets, shops and homes are decorated with the presepe, Nativity scene or creche. Almost every church has a presepe and they are often found outdoors in a piazza or public area, too.
Italians take great pride in the creation of the manger, which was thought up in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi, who wanted to involve the peasants in celebrating the life of Jesus.
Special prayers and church services called
"novena" last for nine days prior to Christmas
followed by Mass on Christmas morning.

"Bagpipes are the most common Italian Christmas sound. The zampognari, the shepherds who play the bagpipes, come down from their mountain homes at Christmas time and perform in the market squares. The playing of bagpipes is popular in the regions of Calabria and Abruzzo, and in the piazzas of Rome.
The melodies played are adapted from old hill tunes. Modern zampognari wear the traditional outfits of sheepskin vests, leather breeches, and a woolen cloak.
The tradition of bagpipes goes back to ancient Roman times. Legend says that the shepherds entertained the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem...."
You can read more about it here.


Although we haven't finalized our menu, we will be making the meatball soup as well as a variety of pasta dishes.
"When it comes to the Christmas season in Italy, there are three sweet treats that you’ll find popping up in every supermarket in town: Panettone, Pandoro, and Torrone. Panettone and Pandoro are typical Christmas cakes, while Torrone is a nougat bar made with egg whites, honey and sugar, and usually with hazelnuts or almonds as well. It generally comes out only around Christmas time and has both a crunchy and soft version, and can be white or chocolate, or other flavors, and sometimes is also covered in chocolate."
Tiramisu is one of the most popular Italian desserts which we plan to make and serve following our meal.
And biscotti, as referred to by Italians, is a twice-baked cookie served with a good strong coffee making for a great Italian treat.
You can read more about Italian Christmas celebrations here.


Andrea Bocelli, born in Tuscany in Italy, has become one of Italy's most-beloved tenor/opera performers. He is also the biggest-selling solo artist in the history of classical music.
We have been enjoying his new Christmas CD this season. You can listen to his rendition of Silent Night here: