Italian life centers on home and family. At no time is this truer than during the holidays. Italian holiday celebrations are festive occasions with multiple generations of extended family gathered for a huge, gorgeous meal and vibrant conversation. The cooks for these feasts pull out all the stops, and there are favorites on the table that appear at no other time of the year. These are the dishes that bring out happy memories for most Italian families and become part of holiday tradition.
Thanksgiving
Just because you are going Italian for Thanksgiving does not mean that you have to give up turkey. Tacchinella alla Melagrana is a roasted turkey that has been basted with fresh pomegranate juice. It is a traditional Italian dish that blends well with the American tradition of turkey and stuffing. Try some Italian spices in your stuffing recipe and add some to your mashed potatoes as well. Garlic and rosemary are two good ones to try.
Easter
Most American families have ham for Easter, and Pizzagaina, a popular ham pie, is a flavorful way to inject an Italian flair to the holiday. Pizzagaina combines gourmet cheeses with fresh ham and eggs. It is easy to cook for large numbers of guests; just make an extra pie. Lamb dishes are a traditional Easter specialty in Italy and are a way to inject something different into your customary Easter dinner. Abbacchio Brodettato, lamb in lemon sauce, is a classic spring dish to try.
Christmas
The high point of the Italian culinary calendar is Christmas Eve, and the Feast of the Seven Fishes. While there is debate about the origins of the number of dishes served, there is no debate about the fact that it is a feast for the senses. It is the traditional way to spend the evening before heading off to Midnight Mass. There are no meats served in this meal, in respect for religious ritual. Some areas in Italy serve 12 or 13 dishes, but fish is still the main ingredient.
Menu
The meal starts off with an antipasto, which is a platter full of delicacies such as cheeses of all kinds, hot and roasted peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes and hearty Italian bread.
The fish dishes are served next. Each family has its own favorite recipes and order in which to serve them, but some of the basic ingredients are calamari (boiled squid), shrimp, clams, crab, baked whitefish and mussels or oysters. Baccala, a make-ahead dried cod dish, is a staple on many tables. You could also serve salmon, lobster or scallops. Sides include simple pastas, vegetables, risotto and casseroles.
Dessert is a cookie tray full of Italian favorites, such as wine ring cookies, molasses crisps, cuccidati, milan cookies, ossi di morto, parma chocolate, biscotti, sesame cookies, almond cookies and pizzelles. These are usually homemade and brought by guests as their contribution to the meal. The cookies are served with coffee and sambuca.
Try these Italian holiday meal ideas and create some new traditions with your family. For other great ideas, "Celebrations, Italian Style" by Mary Ann Esposito is a great source of recipes and stories to help you do it right.
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