THE PA MELTING POT: A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY COLUMN - PART 2 - Italy

THE PA MELTING POT: A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY COLUMN

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THE MELTING POT:  A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY COLUMN

Immigrants to western PA brought their Christmas customs with them and as they 

assimilated they have added additional customs.  

ITALY

A very popular way of celebrating Christmas (Natale) is the Nativity crib scene. Many Italian families have a Nativity crib in their homes.  On Christmas Eve normally no meat is eaten but often seafood meal is before people go to Midnight Mass.  After Mass if it's cold, they might have a slice of Christmas Cake called 'Panettone' (fruity sponge cake) and a cup of hot chocolate!  Very popular now is The Feast of the Seven Fishes ('Esta dei Sette Pesci' in Italian). Common types of fish eaten in the feast include Baccala (salted cod), Clams, Calamari, Sardines and Eel. 

ITALY

Italian Christmas customs and traditions 

http://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/traditions-2/christmas-traditions-in-italy

GOOGLE SEARCH ON ITALIAN CHRISTMAS 

https://www.google.com/search?q=italian+christmas+customs&oq=italian+ch&aqs=chrome1.

69i59l2j0l2j69i57j0.3773j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8 

Chef’s Italian Christmas

http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/italian-christmas

Recipes from Academia Barilla

http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/christmas-table/default.aspx

Christmas recipes from AcademiaBarilla

http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/christmas-table/default.aspx

Seven Fishes Recipes from Epicurious

http://www.epicurious.com/search/italian%20christmas

ITALALIAN TARALLI VIDEO

http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/bread-focaccia-pizza/taralli-1.aspx

ITALIAN FOCCACCIA VIDEO

http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/bread-focaccia-pizza/focaccia-recco.aspx

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS SLIDE SHOW

http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/italian-christmas/1