With so many food options that vary massively from region to region, you can't go wrong with Italian food if you are looking for something different this Christmas season. Have you always wanted to eat like Italians during Christmas? Here is a guide on how to go about it:
Christmas eve
Although the food you eat at Christmas differs from region to region in Italy, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a Christian tradition still practiced in many homes, and you can take it up.
Abstinence from meat before the big day is a Roman Catholic custom, but it doesn't mean you will go hungry. At least seven distinct types of fish are eaten at this time, with some families consuming up to 20 different dishes.
You should prepare a variety of fishy delicacies, particularly those from along the country's south coast's slush waters. This can range from spaghetti with mussels to baked eel with olives, chilies, capers, or marinated anchovies.
If you want to host your seafood feast for Christmas Eve, try squid with chili and mint. You should prepare the squid whole. Doing so will make the meal easy to prepare, interesting, and fun to eat.
Christmas dinner
Christmas dinner is a lengthy affair. The meal may begin with a lovely antipasti board. Fill yours with your favorite Italian cheeses, cured meats, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, then serve to the whole family.
Italians are famous for baking, and delicious baked bread is served every day during Christmas, so you should prepare one.
Sfincione is a typical focaccia bread from Palermo, Sicily. Nuns at the San Vito convent invented it, and it was traditionally offered during the holiday season. If possible, you should prepare or buy it.
The bread is usually topped with caciocavallo cheese (a stretched-curd cheese made across southern Italy) and adorned with anchovies.
You can serve the bread with anything and don't shy from adding your desired twist. For example, serve the bread with chestnut-studded focaccia, crispy pancetta, and aromatic rosemary to give it a British spin.
In Italy, Christmas supper usually consists of many major courses. The meal may begin with a warm broth bowl or exquisite handmade tortellini.
Lo Zampone - the skin of a pig's foot packed with seasoned mincemeat - might be served in Northern parts of Italy, Pasticcio al forno (baked pasta) in the central or southern areas, or a classic lasagne Bolognese in the north-east. In any case, there is no way you will be going hungry.
You can prepare the meals yourself or order them from a reputable Italian brand such as Rovagnati.
Founded by Paolo Rovagnati in Milan in 1943, the brand marks the height of Italian charcuterie workmanship. The company offers a combination of quality, experience, and rigorous attention to ingredients, which results in a balance of traditional and unique flavors that give your Christmas a new feeling.
Rovagnati has maintained strict product and process quality standards since its inception. This mentality extends to thorough meat selection and supply chain control, supported by a dedication to environmental responsibility, people, and food safety.
The brand has many flavors to please a wide range of palates. Charcuterie fans can relish the delicate Salame Milano, famed for its fine grain, or the strong Salame Napoli, with its peppery profile.
Hot Soppressata, a coveted Italian salami, beckons people seeking robust flavors.
Classic Mortadella, distinguished by its classic pink hue and white specks, provides a reassuring familiarity.
Prosciutto fans can select between the Prosciutto Crudo and the Prosciutto Cotto Classic, all of which have distinct flavors.
With so many options available, you will be spoilt for choice.
The vegetables
Meat dishes are typically served with a plethora of toppings and sauces. Italians enjoy substantial dark green vegetables with a bitter flavor, and they cook the leaves of all winter vegetables, from broccoli to Brussels sprouts.
To try this, steam or boil the vegetable leaves until soft. After that, make a soffrito by sautéing garlic and spicy pepper in olive oil.
After sautéing the steamed vegetable leaves in the soffitto, season them to taste and serve. You can serve the steamed veggies with olive oil and lemon juice.
The desserts
When it comes to desserts, panettone is served all over Italy during Christmas, and you should also consider serving it to keep up with the traditions.
Panettone is a sweet bread that originated in Milan. It is often loaded with raisins, candied orange peel, and lemon zest and is created using a yeast-based dough.
Panettone is commonly consumed with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
Another dessert you can go for is pandoro. This is another sweet bread fashioned like a star and originated in Verona.
Pandoro is commonly served with fresh berries or whipped cream and is sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Ricciarelli is another dessert you can try out. These are soft, chewy, powdered sugar-coated cookies. They often burst with the flavor of almonds, almond extract, and orange zest.
Ricciarelli are classic Sienese biscuits from Tuscany, Italy. They are particularly popular around the holidays and at Christmas, but you can enjoy them all year.
Parting shot
Christmas is the time for family and friends to come together, and even if you have done it many times, it doesn't have to be boring.
If you have always eaten the same foods during Christmas, changing this year's Christmas with Italian foods is a great way to make the season interesting.
You can prepare the food or order it from a reputable Italian brand.
When preparing the food, follow the recipes thoroughly to achieve the traditional Italian taste.
Remember that desserts are essential to Italian food, so ensure that you serve them. As mentioned above, there are many in the market that you can go for. Of course, you should go for those that are easy to prepare, or you can quickly get your hands on.
It's customary for Italians to spend the afternoon or evening playing games, primarily tombola, a bingo-like game that is only played during the Christmas season.
If you have the time, why not learn how to play it?
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