An Italian Christmas

[Jovialis]

“The Battle of Cannae was a major battle of the Second Punic War that took place on 2 August 216 BC in Apulia, in southeast Italy.
It is regarded both as one of the greatest tactical feats in military history and as one of the worst defeats in Roman history.”

Those Carthaginians really paid for it down the line.

[Jovialis]

Here's some food from today:

[Angela]

Here's some food from today:

This is why I only put out a few platters of appetizers; otherwise, people don't eat the main meal.

I'm taking a break before I clean my kitchen (which looks like it was hit by a hurricane), and because I can't look at food anymore, and here I am talking about food. :)

I see you guys like mortadella too. My ancestors will be rolling in their graves to hear me say this, but I think I like it better than prosciutto. Is that fried cauliflower at the bottom? I love that. Or is it fried baccala? I see the salad.

I think Neapolitans are great cooks. I learned everything I could from my husband's grandmother. She was amazing

@Salento,

Vice nice gift.

As I'm typing I'm having a cup of decaf coffee and some panettone. Our tastes are the same: Bauli for pandoro, and Balocco for panettone. Sile is right, I think the Motta has changed, or at least the one they sell here has changed. It's the same thing with Nutella. I didn't buy it all that regularly because I just don't have much self-control when it's around, but God it was good. Now, my son bought a jar and it's been in the fridge for two weeks and we've barely eaten any. It's just gross. I even asked at the import store and they said they changed it for the American market.

[Jovialis]

This is why I only put out a few platters of appetizers; otherwise, people don't eat the main meal.
I'm taking a break before I clean my kitchen (which looks like it was hit by a hurricane), and because I can't look at food anymore, and here I am talking about food. :)
I see you guys like mortadella too. My ancestors will be rolling in their graves to hear me say this, but I think I like it better than prosciutto. Is that fried cauliflower at the bottom? I love that. Or is it fried baccala? I see the salad.
I think Neapolitans are great cooks. I learned everything I could from my husband's grandmother. She was amazing

Actually it's fried shrimp; you're right, it's baccala in the the silver bowl above it.

I passed out on the couch while everyone had lasagna later on.

I love mortadella, but I also love prosciutto too. The other day I had a prosciutto, mozzarella, and olive oil in Italian bread, sandwich.

[Jovialis]

We also played tombola, and I took a picture of the board. But some of the illustrations on it might be a little too ridiculous to post on the forum though.

[davef]

Got This Present, I think it’s Cool.
A real coin of Empress Faustina Jr, wife of Marcus Aurelius.

You should sell that to a museum, you might make a lot of money

[Salento]

We also played tombola, and I took a picture of the board. But some of the illustrations on it might be a little too ridiculous to post on the forum though.

Besides Tombola we also play Sette e Mezzo, it’s similar to Blackjack (not exactly), but is played with Carte Napoletane.

[Salento]

You should sell that to a museum, you might make a lot of money

“I Like Money” lol
but I wouldn’t sell a present that I like.

[davef]

“I Like Money” lol
but I wouldn’t sell a present that I like.

I understand, if you want it around, then by all means keep it around :)

[Angela]

Some Italians do spend Christmas at an agriturismo or hotel, although I don't personally know anyone who does.

They're giving the meal away in the Lunigiana.

[IMG][/IMG]

Cured meats with sgabei (fried bread squares)
Flan of pumpkin and ricotta with crumbled amaretto cookies on top
Savory vegetable tarts
Bruschetta with cannellini and capperi cream
Eggplant filled with cream of filbert
onions in sweet and sour sauce



Sformato di zucca e ricotta


Torta di verdura


Bruschetta con crema di fagioli:


Melanzane ripiene
[IMG][/IMG]

Cipolle agrodolce:


Primo Piatto

Pumpkin Ravioli and Florentine Crepes

Pumpkin Ravioli with butter, sage, pistachios


Crespelle alla Fiorentina-Crepes filled with spinach and ricotta, topped with bechamel and dotted with meat sauce (or plain tomato sauce).



Secondo Piatto

Zampone or Cotechino Sausage with Lentils-this is a New Year's dish so maybe they have a "holiday" menu.



Roast duck with orange sauce and roasted potatoes



Panettone with Chantilly sauce, fresh berries, dried fruit, water wine.

[Sile]

Besides Tombola we also play Sette e Mezzo, it’s similar to Blackjack (not exactly), but is played with Carte Napoletane.

When my father and father in law where alive they always played Trappola ...........else its Bestia for the rest of us ..........or Chess with my father
.
Every christmas since I remember, we had only these deserts......a typical Pandora Panettone, Tira mi su or Pavlova ...........
.
meals have always been .......entry of seafood , prawns, oysters, crayfish, etc
main meal was roast Pork .....I rarely saw a turkey
and plenty of different vegies
Also drinks always began with a Prosecco , many different wines and beers.............and ended with a Tawny