Buon Natale da Italia 2012

A Surprise

Christmas Eve we made a run to the grocery as our frig was empty after traveling over the past 10 days. The store was crowded, like any American grocery the day before a holiday, and the shelves were getting bare. We grabbed the essentials and got in line before they closed early for the holiday. (In Italy they close early on Christmas Eve and don't reopen until 12/27). Our bill came to 80.29 Euro and I handed the cashier two 50's. She wanted to know if I had the 29 cents, so I scrambled through my purse and found 30 cents and we called it good. In the rush to get out, she forgot to give me the 20 Euro back. I didn't realize it until we were home, and figured it was a loss.

On Thursday, 12/27 we were by the store and I told Johnnie to stop. I decided when she balanced her drawer that night she would realize she was over 20 euro, and hopefully remember me (how many American women does she have anyway?). I had my receipt still so went into the store rehearsing how I was going to explain in Italian what happened to see if I could get my 20 euro. Well, Praise the Lord! She remembered me right away and said, (I think) " I owe you 20 euro, just a minute" and she went to the safe, got my 20 euro and then she apologized because she didn't have a way of calling me Monday night to let me know! 

Can you imagine?! I was so pleased and thank the Lord for honesty and for the blessing of a small town store where people still know who you are. This is a part of Italy I love.

The Presepi of Italy
The presepi are nativity scenes and an important part of Christmas tradition in Italy. These are similar to the nativity scenes in American and elsewhere but in Italy are abundant in all shapes, sizes and materials, everything from hand carved wood or hand painted ceramics to the plastic molded type you get from the discount stores.

Elaborate villages of houses and trades people, farm scenes, and background settings exist. Many families put the presepo under the Christmas tree and wait until Dec. 25 to place baby Jesus in the manger. There are individual pieces to many of the precepi so that you buy  a few each year and add to a family collection over time. Some also come all in one piece. Many have moving pieces and lights that come on, quite interesting to see. It reminds me of the elaborate snow village scenes you see in the US.

Three foot tall precepo backdrop of a hillside village

Miniature fruit and vegetables for the precept village scenes

About 3 feet tall, another precepo backdrop, made of painted resin

As in the US, the tradition of a scene from the time of Christ has morphed, and now the presepi can be settings from a Medieval time, Victorian era, or some have take on a comical satire with modern day characters dressed in Biblical costumes and settings. For example, I saw the entire Naples soccer team placed in the manger. Or, current world political figures placed among the presepi as well.

Caricatures of Political and Entertainment figures: Bill Clinton, Laurel and Hardy, Berlusconi, Obama, etc.

Does the Italian presepo diverge from the Biblical Christmas story? Absolutely. Is it wrong? Well, if you take a strict view on the celebration of Christmas then probably 80% of all the modern trappings are not related to the story of the birth of Christ: Santa Claus, stockings, trees, snowmen, candy canes, sleigh rides, jingle bells, reindeer, etc. There are certainly churches all over the world that are taking a stance against the false symbols of Christmas and some forbid their congregations to put up tree, lights, stockings, or to have a presepo, etc.

So the Italians have their traditions that are not related to the birth of Christ either: La befana, presepi, trees, stockings (the stockings here are filled by La Befana on Epifania -- read the link above) etc. but actually, the Italian Christmas is far less commercial over all than in the US. The big "buy, buy, buy" thing is not really that big in Italy. People do give gifts but they tend to be smaller and simpler and just a few. They put up a few lights but electricity is so expensive that maybe one strand of ligths, and just on a few houses. Mostly the lights are put up by the cities. The celebrations here are more about family time and gathering together. When the families come together they spend the entire day together, have the meal together and then play games, or tell stories or watch soccer games -- much like in the US!

Holiday Meal with Friends
I set out to have a traditional Turkey dinner with all the trimmings since we missed that Thanksgiving when we were traveling to Venice. Alas, no turkeys at the store (tacchino inter - whole turkey) as they must be special ordered and not available until after Capodanno (New Year's Eve). So, next best choice was a pork roast which looks good but is small for the 7 people we will have, so picked up a beef rolled roast. Also, couldn't find any sweet potatoes. I was sure I saw them last year but that was probably at the larger Auchon in Napoli. Of course, no marshmallows, no sour cream, no ginger, no nutmeg, no pecans, no oysters, no crab. Hm, what to do?

Here is our menu as it ended up:

Antipasti (Starters)
Fresh veggies with Greek Eggplant dip ( this dip was so-so, needs something)
Ranch dressing ( I have some left and Johnnie requires this. If you ask him what he would take to a deserted island, Ranch dressing would be at the top of his list!)
Turkey meatballs with honey mustard dipping sauce (pretty good)
Mushrooms stuffed with bacon and bleu cheese (these were the big hit of the party -- delicious)
Stuffed mushroom recipe
Prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine)

Main Course (Primi, Segundi and Contorno)
Stuffing (turned out very disappointing -- too salty; I think the instant chicken broth I used is much strong than what we use in the US)
Beef rolled roast (even after marinating, pretty chewy)
Twice baked potato casserole (this turned out good and the Italians like it)
Potato casserole recipe
Green Salad with mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, gorgonzola and vinaigrette (I like the salad but my Italian guests ate only at a little bit, they are used to salad with just plain lettuce and lemon juice or maybe vinegar and oil is all)

Dessert
Pastiera (prepared by the mother of a guest) This is a wonderful Neopolitan dessert, more typical for Easter but Ana makes it year round. I am not sure how it is made but similar to a custard pie and I understand it has Ricotta cheese in it. Wikipedia link
Dessert wine ( made by father of a guest)
Espresso

New Years Day Lunch with Friends
We had a quiet NYE, did Facetime with our friends in Kansas, drank a glass of Prosecco and went to bed at 10pm!

On New Years Day we invited our neighbors to come down for pranzo -- lunch. We really like them, such nice people. We will miss them a lot but they have taught us about being good neighbors and what that means.

Our menu:
Starters
Mushrooms stuffed with bacon and bleu cheese (these were so good on Christmas we had them again!)
Prosecco

Main Course
Gnocchi (Giulianna made this -- yum!)
Chicken Madras ( chicken pieces browned and cooked with diced apple and onion and curry seasoning)
Green salad (they even tried the Ranch dressing)
Negroamaro wine

Dessert
Pumpkin pie (Johnnie made this and it was great)

All in all, it was a wonderful time and great way to start the new year.

After lunch, I am off to Grottaglie again to work, only this time for a few days.