ITALIAN CHRISTMAS DINNER

Christmas dinner varies throughout Italy. Each Italian region has its own traditional festive dishes. However there are some similarities to the nature and size of the meal It is usually very abundant and consists of many courses

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve has a magical atmosphere in Italy Christmas Eve has a magical atmosphere in Italy Families often get together for a special meal Families often get together for a special meal Traditionally, Christmas Eve is considered as a giorno di magro, thats to say a lean day Traditionally, Christmas Eve is considered as a giorno di magro, thats to say a lean day However this doesnt mean that the meal is poor, but only that no one eats meat. However this doesnt mean that the meal is poor, but only that no one eats meat. The reason is that on Christmas Eve the Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat. Thats why everybody eats fish The reason is that on Christmas Eve the Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat. Thats why everybody eats fish

However, even though meat is absent in Christmas Eve dinner, it is very substantial and consists of many delicious courses However, even though meat is absent in Christmas Eve dinner, it is very substantial and consists of many delicious courses Although nowadays this tradition isnt as strictly observed as in the past, many people, particularly in southern Italy (in Naples and in Aversa too) still have a meat-free meal on Christmas Eve. Although nowadays this tradition isnt as strictly observed as in the past, many people, particularly in southern Italy (in Naples and in Aversa too) still have a meat-free meal on Christmas Eve.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: STARTERS Christmas Eve meal usually starts with a selection of antipasti (starters): fish salad shrimp cocktail fried calamari and shrimps octopus salad insalata di rinforzo (cauliflower salad with oil, vinegar, olives, anchovies and pickles) prickly pizza.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: FIRST COURSE As for the first course all Neapolitan families prepare spaghetti with clams.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: SECOND COURSES Then there are different second courses: fried salt cod grilled or fried eel baked fish.

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: DRIED FRUIT Finally, we eat dried fruit: Dates Figs Nuts Chestnuts Almonds

CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL: DESSERT As for dessert, at Christmas Eve all Italian families have panettone or pandoro In some regions of Northern Italy people also have pandolce, a heavy fruit cake with pine On the contrary in Southern Italy we also eat the traditional neapolitan cakes: struffoli, paste reali, susamielli, roccocò and mustacciuoli.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

Dinner on Christmas Day goes on for hours. The Christmas day menu is generally freer than Christmas Eves.

It usually starts with a selection of antipasti and a glass or two of sparkling prosecco. Then there is a hearty filled pasta dish, such as agnolotti, ravioli or tortellini. In Southern Italy we usually eat Lasagna. Most families follow with a roast or baked lamb with potatoes. Christmas dinner continues with dried fruits and cakes: panettone, pandoro and the traditional neapolitan cakes: struffoli, paste reali, susamielli, roccocò and mustacciuoli.

NEW YEARS EVE

On New Years Eve another special meal is prepared. This often includes the same courses as Christmas Eve dinner.

The only difference is the addition of a "cotechino" with lentils dish Eating lentils and cotechino is considered to bring good fortune (Lentils symbolize money, while the cotechino simbolyzes health)

At midnight we eat panettone and make a toast with the Italian sparkling wine to greet the new year

Happy New Year 2008 to our friends Združená stredná škola Trebišov, Slovacchia From Ipssart Aversa Italy