Anyone who has enjoyed the pleasures of a big, family-style Italian meal knows that, no matter how much you’ve eaten, no proper meal is complete without a little something sweet. The traditional meal for Carnevale—a day dedicated to rich foods and celebrations—is certainly no exception to the rule. The Italians love crafting beautiful and delightful desserts for holidays. In fact, many holidays have sweet treats that are specially-made only around the time of the holiday. This makes the dolci (desserts) of Carnevale and many other holidays a much-anticipated treat!

So are you wondering what special desserts you’ll find in Italy during Carnevale? Let’s take a look at a few traditional ones enjoyed during this time of year. The most common are different shapes and varieties of fritelle (fritters), but—in keeping with the spirit of Carnevale—there might just be a surprise in store for you!

Chiacchiere
The most popular Carnevale dessert—one that you will find throughout the Peninsula as well as in Sicily and Sardegna—are the thin, fried ribbons of sweet pastry dough topped with powdered sugar or honey. In much of southern Italy they are often called Chiacchiere, a fun Italian word meaning “chatter” or “chitchat,” but most Italian Americans will know them by their older name – guanti (pronounced by many as “e wands”). That’s not the only two names by which you’ll find these delightful treats, though! Few desserts in Italy can boast quite so many names as this one, and as you travel around the boot region-by-region you’ll often find this same dessert called by many different names. In Rome they’re called frappe, while in the Piemonte area you’ll hear Bugie (lies), and traveling down through the Abruzzo and Marche you’ll find them in the pasticceria (pastry shop) as cioffe and sfrappe respectively (and the list goes on and on)!

While the name changes, the dessert is essentially the same regardless of where you find it. Although Chiacchiere connoisseurs will notice subtle differences in the flavor from the north to the south, most often the different regional of family variations depend on what type of wine or liqueur is added to the batter. Sometimes it will be a few drops of the intense grappa, vino bianco (white wine) or regional specialties like Marsala in Sicily or Vin Santo in Tuscany. On the Sorrentine Peninsula in Campania, home to two special varieties of lemons, you might just find a drop of the locally made limoncello and lemon zest.

Castagnole
Another Carnevale favorite in southern Italy are the small spoonful-sized fried dough balls called Castagnole. The name comes from their small, round shape, which is reminiscent of a castanga, or chestnut, rather than for a chestnut flavor as you might expect. You’ll often find piles of these sweet treats dusted with powdered sugar appear on the table after the grand Carnevale meal, although they can (and are!) enjoyed anytime of the day!

Sanguinaccio
This dessert for Carnevale is not for the faint of heart. Sanguinaccio is a rich chocolate pudding flavored with cinnamon and, yes you guessed it, sangue (blood)! It was traditionally made in southern Italy, especially Campania, after the annual pig slaughter that happened in the cold winter days leading up to Carnevale – as we talked about last week here on The italyMONDO! Blog. Today it is rare to find the pudding made with pig’s blood. (But perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing after all?) The cinnamon pudding is often served with Chiacchiere – often considered an inseparable pair for many people!

These are just a few of the traditional desserts prepared each year for Carnevale. You’ll find many others as you travel through different regions of Italy during this time of year. Wherever you’ll be celebrating Carnevale this year, why not add an Italian touch by trying your own hand at making Chiacchiere. Here’s a helpful video with instructions for making Chiacchiere in the Neapolitan tradition.

After all, it’s not Carnevale without at least a little bit of extravagance!

Would you like to learn how to make chiachiere, castagnoli and sanguinaccio while visiting the village where were ancestors were born in Italy – and even meeting living relatives in the process? Contact us and find out how italyMONDO! can help create a vacation of a lifetime for you and your family!

Photo Courtesy of “DIGISEA” at Flickr

Carnevale in Cicciano, Napoli

It’s just about Carnevale time in Italy, the fun days of celebration for Carnival leading up to the 40 days of fasting during Lent. Already the traditional coriandoli, or confetti, are being strewn about the old stone streets of small towns. Behind closed doors, excited voices can be overheard as the large, colorful floats that appear in the parades are receiving their final touches. Around the corner a group of locals are rehearsing the traditional music for the big celebration on homemade instruments. These are the winter days before Carnevale in southern Italy.

While Venezia is the reigning queen of Carnevale in Italy, with its famous masked characters, celebrations and masquerade balls, Carnevale is a holiday celebrated across the country. Even the smallest villages will have parades of carri, or floats, often featuring oversized figures made out of cartapesta (papier–mâché). Viareggio, located on the coast of Tuscany, may host one of the most famous Carnevale parades, but the carri and other festivities found in the mezzogiorno (Southern Italy) will not cease to amaze. Capua, one of the most storied cities in the region of Campania, offers an enchanting (and wild!) night of celebrations complete with scenes of world-class carri back-dropped by medieval monuments and buildings. Each region has its own unique traditions as well. In Sicily, where the warmer climate brings flowers earlier in the year, the local custom in many cities and towns is to decorate the traditional horse carts with brightly colored floral decorations.

Yet, like so many things in Italy, if you want to experience the true spirit of Carnevale, it is often easier and more intimate in the smaller towns and mountain villages located in southern Italy and Sicily. Even smaller towns, such as Cicciano in the province of Napoli, spare no expense when it comes to carri and other Carnevale festivities. So, while seeing the grand Italian celebrations for Carnevale in the cities of the north is quite an experience, to truly immerse yourself into la vera carnevale, skip the cities of the north and head south. While the coriandoli will still fly and the carri will circle around the piazza, you’ll also see children dressed up in cute costumes and maybe even catch a glimpse of the deep religious roots of this century-old holiday.

Carnevale, like many holidays in Italy, has ancient traditions and religious roots deeper than one might expect. Behind the parades and costumes is the reminder of the Roman Catholic traditions leading up to the Easter holiday. The period of Carnevale lasts two weeks and ends on Martedì Grasso, Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, the final and biggest day of celebrating before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of la Quaresima (Lent). The 40 days of Lent before Easter commemorate the Passion of Jesus, and is a period traditionally associated with sacrifice and fasting in the Roman Catholic faith.

While the religious significance, elaborate floats, parades, confetti and candies are a thrill—especially for kids and kids at heart—what really defines Carnevale for many Italians is the food. In fact, one thing you can count on when celebrating a traditional Carnevale is a grand, Italian family meal. (As is so wonderfully the case in Italy, it always comes back to food)!

One thing you can count on when celebrating a traditional Carnevale is a grand, Italian family meal. (As is so wonderfully the case in Italy, it always comes back to food)!

The traditional Carnevale meal often begins with a rich lasagna made with salsiccia (sausage) and cheese, usually mozzarella and sometimes also with ricotta. After the lasagna, which is a meal-in-itself for most, the secondo (second course) often includes more salsiccia, more cheese and winter vegetables, such as broccoli rabe. As Carnevale is the last hurray before Lent, the Carnevale meal is often full of rich foods and sweet desserts.

The traditional connection between salsiccia and Carnevale tells an interesting story about rural life in much of Italy. Before refrigeration, which is some areas didn’t arrive until the 1970s, the cold winter months of January and February were the time of the pig slaughter, especially in southern Italy. Salsiccia, therefore, was only eaten during these cold winter months when it was possible to produce and store it for a short period of time. Fatty and rich, it was also needed to help survive the harsh mountain winters of the snowy regions such as the Abruzzo and Molise. Over time the tradition of serving salsiccia on Carnevale became the norm, and it continues despite the fact that sausage can now be bought any time of the year. While Martedì Grasso is the big feast before the fasting of Lent, you might be wise to do a bit of fasting in preparation for the Carnevale meal itself!

So get your costumes, coriandoli, and bombolette of silly string ready – Carnevale is almost here! But, of course, no Carnevale celebration would be complete without a few sweet treats. Stop by The italyMONDO! Blog next Friday to read about the traditional and special desserts of Carnevale in Italy.

Would you like to celebrate carnevale in the village where your ancestors came from in Italy? Contact us and found out how italyMONDO! can help create this vacation of a lifetime for you!

As interest in our new “This Week in Italy” segment picks up, here is your third addition of the latest news from Il Bel Paese. As always, things have been amusing this week (to say the least) - with news ranging from some ironic business techniques to the mafia resorting to crocodiles to extort money from victims.

…So, read on to get your espresso shot of Italians news – and enjoy!

“Cronyism” Pitched to Boost Italian Postal System Bloomberg – September 22, 2009 The nation’s largest employer is looking to nepotism to cut costs and get rid of expensive, older workers. (No joke!) Under the current draft plan, postal workers who want to leave early can “cede” their jobs to their children, as long as they are at least 30 years old and have a high school diploma. It’s all about who you know, right?

Italy Mourns Soldiers at State Funeral Los Angeles Times – September 22, 2009 On Monday Italy laid to rest its six soldiers which were tragically killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan last week. Held in Rome’s St. Paul’s Basilica, the entire country – in addition to the thousands in attendance – mourned the loss when a minute of silence was held throughout schools and offices.

Espresso Maker Bialetti Invents Easy Cappuccino Best of Italy – September 23, 2009 Any Italian or Italophile can attest to the fact that, in Italy, coffee is an art form. So leave it to the Italians to find a way of making Cappuccino as easy as “uno, due, tre!” Watch the video, provided by blogger Mirella Sichirollo, to see this ingenuity in action.

New Tremors Hit Abruzzo Once Again Adnkronos International – September 23, 2009 Just two days after children in L’Aquila began returning to school, a fresh tremor hit the region of Abruzzo again at 11:18pm local time. Although much smaller than the April 6 quake, the 2.9 magnitude tremor reminded relief workers and locals alike that a long road still lies ahead.

Member of Former Italian Royal Family Arrested AFP via Yahoo! News – September 23, 2009 Yet another sex scandal has erupted in Italy this week, this time involving Prince Vittorio Emanuele, son of the last king of Italy. After 56 years in exile due to his family’s support of the fascist regime and an arrest in 2006, the 72–year–old–prince is now awaiting trail in the southern city of Potenza for dealing with gambling and prostitutes.

Naples Underground Collapses The Espresso Break – September 23, 2009 …Well, at least part of it! As many Naples–lovers know, the city is older than Rome itself and the modern city is built (literally) on top of older cities. This is actually great to visit when in town, but on Wednesday morning three holes opened up in downtown Napoli – literally leaving enormous caves in the floors of buildings and churches!

George Clooney Meets Italian Girlfriend’s Mother Dolcevita – September 24, 2009 George Clooney won over thousands of Italians this week as he respected the Italian tradition of “meeting the mother” before sweeping his love Elisabetta Canalis to America. As gossip continues over Italy’s newest and favorite romance, word is speeding that wedding bells could be in the air for later this year.

Italians Mob Boss Uses Crocodile to Scare Victims Italy Magazine – September 24, 2009 One of the more interesting stories of the week, one of our favorite online magazines showed us that it seems like Italians crooks are coming up with some interesting ideas to swindle their victims. In the north, two women posing as good Catholics made off with 20,000 Euro of jewelry after convincing an elderly woman to kiss a saint’s prayer card laced with a sleeping drug. Then, in the south, Naples mafia boss Antonio Cristofaro took some reluctant businessmen to his home, only to threaten them with a (live, of course!) crocodile if they didn’t pay up! Innovative, right?

This Week in Italian “Business” Burnt by the Tuscan Sun – September 26, 2009 Another favorite post this week in the blogosphere, this one actually came from a newly discovered blog. “Burnt by the Tuscan Sun” does all the commentary for us, so just follow the link to get a good chuckle!

Three days a year, the people of Naples anxiously hold their breath. Eyes fixed on the city’s Duomo—with prayers being recited and news cameras rolling—there is one question on everyone’s mind. Will the miracle of San Gennaro occur once again?

Among the most venerated relics held in the Duomo of Naples are two glass vials of the dried, century-old blood of San Gennaro, a martyr saint from the 3rd century who was born in southern Italy. Since 1389, their contents are said to liquefy each year – an occurrence that has yet to be explained. This miracle takes place three times a year; on the first Saturday of May to celebrate the anniversary of the translation of the relics of San Gennaro in the 15th century to their new home in the Duomo of Naples, on the 19th of September on the anniversary of the Saint’s death and his actual feast day, and on December 16th, the anniversary of a devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1631 – a disaster from which many Neapolitans believe their beloved city was spared, thanks to the intervention of their santo patrono.

For Neapolitans, the miracle of San Gennaro’s blood is an oracle for the city. When it occurs, all will be fine. The absence of the miracle, however, does not bode well for the city. In fact, terrible events have taken place in Naples and its surrounding area when the blood failed to liquefy in the past. These beliefs have been reinforced in recent memory by the 1944 eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the 1980 earthquake that devastated much of southern Italy, killing nearly 3,000 people. In the case of both years, il sangue di San Gennaro remained stubbornly solid.

But who was this saint – and why is he considered the protector of Naples? While little is certain about the life of the santo, later Christian sources and legends that developed after his death tell us he was born either in Naples or nearby Benevento, and later became the bishop of Naples. However, in 305 during the Roman persecutions of the Christians, San Gennaro was condemned to death. He was sent to be torn to pieces by lions, but when the beasts miraculously spared him, the Romans threw him into a flaming furnace—only for him to exit unscathed once again. He was then successfully beheaded at the Solfatara crater near Pozzuoli. (Leading historians to believe that even the Romans thought the third time was a charm!) Over the centuries devotion for San Gennaro grew—spreading far beyond just the citizens of the Napule’.

While the exact details on the life of San Gennaro are the subject of legends, what is certain is that for many Neapolitans the prosperity and well being of their city is intimately connected to this saint and the thrice-yearly miracle with his blood. Each year for centuries, the ceremony has inspired both awe and disbelief—and still today seeing the miracle is a powerful experience. On Saturday, September 19th, an enormous crowd will fill the Duomo and surrounding streets hoping to catch a glimpse. The event is accompanied by processions and celebrations, including a jovial atmosphere after the miracle takes place, making it the perfect opportunity to experience the Neapolitan’s exuberant talent for festivities.

For Neapolitans, the miracle of San Gennaro’s blood is an oracle for the city. When it occurs, all will be fine. The absence of the miracle, however, does not bode well for the city.

The name of San Gennaro (”Saint Januarius” in English, but it just sounds better in Italian!) is just as familiar to many Italian Americans as it is to any Neapolitan. In America, his feast as we know it today was first celebrated in New York City on September 19, 1926. For the Italian population in Little Italy, many of whom came from the Naples area, it was only natural to celebrate their native patrono with processions and celebrations brought with them from the “Old Country.” Over the years, this developed into the annual San Gennaro Festival – today a popular event for Italians and non-Italians alike, with festivities reminiscent of the events taking place on the same day across the Atlantic.

Sitting in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, with the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum serving as constant reminders of the devastating force of the volcano, it is no surprise that the devotion and faith in the protective powers of San Gennaro have remained so strong for the city of Naples over the centuries. Whether it’s with faith, superstition – or, as it often the case with Italians, a healthy dose of both – the entire city of Naples anxiously awaits Saturday’s upcoming miracle – including everyone here at italyMONDO! who are working from the Italian office - just five miles away from the volcano’s crater!

Like many third and fourth generation Italian-Americans, Rocco Brienza has a burning passion to reconnect himself with his ancestral roots – and realized a lifelong dream when he hosted a true Italian dinner-dance on March 21st at the beautiful Perthshire Banquet Hall in Fulton County, a charming venue in rural Upstate New York.

Like all Feste Italiane, the recipe for success starts with two things – music and food – and Rocco made sure his guests had plenty of both during his first annual celebration, rightly named the Monteleone di Puglia Festival in honor of his grandparents who left the hilltop village – known for being the highest in the region of Puglia – a century ago. At the turn of the 20th century, Monteleone di Puglia (located in the province of Foggia) boasted a large population of immigrants in Montgomery, Fulton and Herkimer counties in Upstate New York, particularly in the city of Little Falls.

I had a blast – particularly after we finished our cena squisita and the dance floor opened up. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a slave to the rhythm of a nice ballroom or Latin dance, and I decided to warm up the crowd with a short tarantella – followed by a tango to Chittara Romana (Che bella canzone!).

The most memorable part of the evening for me was the drawing of the various prizes for the event’s raffle – I won over 10 times! The first time my name was called was exciting (I never win!); the third time was funny. By the eighth or ninth time I, along with my entire table, was in stitches! I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. I hope the other tables didn’t think I fixed the results!

Throughout the night I met a lot of people from around the area, and made some new friends. I’d like to thank Rocco – who runs the “The Italian-American Connection” at www.youbuylocal.com – for his hard work and dedication in making this event a great success. Grazie! I (and everyone who attended) will be looking forward to the “2nd Annual” next year.

Well, the big event is over – and what a huge success it was!

This past weekend, we teamed up with Aperitivo Bistro to host an exclusive Italian wine tasting event before the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night performances of “The Rat Pack – Live at the Sands” at Proctors Theater. We sold out all 30 of our package tickets each night – with all the profits going to benefit the Northeast Parent & Child Society, a wonderful cause serving New York’s Capital District.

Sheila Burke, wine director for Mazzone Management Group, was the sommelier for all three evenings, one of only three certified sommeliers in the Capital District. As part of this italyMONDO! exclusive package, she introduced some amazing Italian wines to the guests – and me as well!

The two Sicilians seemed to be the crowd favorite; but for me, the Super Tuscan from Banfi was the winner. However, everyone had their own favorite. Even my mother, who’s not a wine lover, came to the event on Saturday night “ and after a few tastes, she couldn’t keep her hands off the Orvieto!

Here’s are the wines Sheila introduced to our guests:

RENOTO (Fuedo Maccari; Sicily) – red
This smoky, full-bodied Sicilian wine was a Nero D’Avola blended with 20 percent Syrah. Nero D’Avola is a “big,” well-extracted grape that flourishes in the sunny Mediterranean climate of the Isola del Sole. Its potency is mellowed and balanced by the Syrah, which enhances it – finishing round and juicy. Its “burnt rubber” finish is particularly unique.

CENTINE (Banfi; Tuscany) – red
The famous Banfi winery is owned by the Mariani family, originally the American wine growers of the Riunite brand, over 7,000 acres of prime wine making real estate in the Tuscan countryside between Siena and Florence. They are particularly famous for their Brunellos. The Centine is a well-priced Super Tuscan with a well-rounded black fruit flavor and peppery undertones.

ANTHÌLIA (Donnafugata; Sicily) – white
Donnafugata is a Sicilian winery that still uses ancient vines descending from the original vines Greek settlers used over two millennia ago. The names of their wines are based on famous novels; this one in particular is called Anthìlia, named after the area where the famous novel “Leopard” is set.

ORVIETO (Salviano; Umbria) – white
The 4,900-acre Salviano estate is on the banks of the Tiber river between Todi and Orvieto in the heart of the Umbrian D.O.C. region. This refreshing wine is made from a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and Grechetto grapes, and is well-structured and balanced with ripe fruit overtones.

We also had incredible Italian cheeses as well as a ton of other delicious hors d’oeuvres made by Aperitivo Bistro.  Everyone had a great time!  I even got to play on a vintage Vespa displayed at the event – what a treat! Maybe I’ll have to get one so I can cruise around Upstate New York “Italian style.”

The show itself was fantastic as well. If you closed your eyes, you’d swear it was the Rat Pack up on that stage! It started with Frank taking the stage, singing a few a few songs to warm up the crowd. Then the fun started when Dean came out (half drunk – but what else would you expect?), cracking jokes and singing classics like Volare and On An Evening in Roma. He then introduced Sammy, who sang crowd favorites including Mr. Bojangles.

The second act opened up with Dean – my personal favorite of the show – and he was soon joined by the rest of the Rat Pack. The second act really stole the show. Each singer was fantastic – their voices, looks, mannerisms – but as a group, there was magic in the air. It was truly the Rat Pack as they must have been!

What a perfect weekend – family, friends old and new, all coming together for some Italian vino, food and fun, all to benefit a great cause.  Now That’s Amore!

I hope you’ll join us at our next event! But why not experience Italian wine in Italy, touring boutique Italian wineries on a custom designed Heritage Tour? Call us today! 1-866-992-1116