Last Friday I tempted you with some of Italy’s Sweet Treats for Carnevale. But don’t worry if you missed the Carnival celebrations in bella Italia this year. Italy has an endless selection of delightful desserts you can enjoy any time of the year. Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at the fun stories behind some of the most popular traditional Italian desserts. This week, let’s start with one that was originally prepared only for Carnevale—just like chiacchiere and castagnole are today—but has since become one of Italy’s most famous desserts. Known (and enjoyed!) around the world, we are—of course—talking about the divine cannoli siciliani (Sicilian Cannoli).

The Sicilians have used their unique and vibrant touch to create some of the most beautiful and extravagant desserts in Italy. But the king of all of the island’s delectable desserts is surely cannoli, crunchy fried pastry tubes open on each end and traditionally filled with sweet fresh ricotta cheese and a mixture of chocolate and candied fruit pieces. Although most people around the world—particularly in America—call a single tube “a cannoli,” only one of these treats is actually called a cannolo – a name that refers to the tube shape of the pastry. The linguistic corruption is easy to justify, though. After all, who can just eat only one!?!

The origin of cannoli is now covered by a haze. (Or is that powdered sugar?) Food historians suggest it was probably first made in a now forgotten convent or monastery near Palermo during the period of Arab rule of Sicily. We do know that they were originally a sweet prepared during Carnevale. There are even stories that suggest—in keeping with the practical jokes and festive spirit of Carnevale—a cannolo would sometimes be stuffed with something unpleasant inside and covered with cream on both ends as normal. The unsuspecting victim would bite into the scrumptious looking cannolo to find the surprise inside!

Whatever the true story may be, cannoli have long since lost their connection to Carnevale, and can now be enjoyed throughout the year. This is, of course, good news for cannoli lovers traveling to Sicily and Italy! You will find them in a variety of sizes, from the tiny cannulicchi or cannolicchi (no bigger than a finger) to cannoli of gigantic proportions made near Piana degli Albanesi near Palermo. Every year this town hosts the Sagra del Cannolo (Festival of the Cannolo) from January to February, which carries on the tradition of celebrating Carnevale with cannoli. What a perfect opportunity to indulge in true cannoli siciliani!

Although most people around the world—particularly in America—call a single tube “a cannoli,” only one of these treats is actually called a cannolo – a name that refers to the tube shape of the pastry. The linguistic corruption is easy to justify, though. After all, who can just eat only one!?!

Traveling around Sicily you’ll find countless different regional and family variations on the classic cannoli filling. Some bakers will add little bits of chocolate or different types of candied fruits. Sometimes you’ll find bright red candied cherries decorating each end, which is a typical decoration in Palermo, while in the eastern part of the island you might find the bright green of chopped pistachios from the town of Bronte sprinkled on each end. Cannoli shells are even sometimes dipped in chocolate before being filled. In Sicily the filling is flavored with vanilla extract or sometimes with Marsala wine, and the final touch is the dusting of powdered sugar.

Cannoli are one of the staples of the Italian-American household and, like so many things, everyone remembers Grandma’s cannoli as the best. The dessert has even more variations in America, although the cannoli you’ll find in most Italian-American bakeries are still commonly filled with the traditional sweetened ricotta. Sometimes you’ll also find mascarpone cheese or a sweet custard in place of the ricotta, though. Vanilla is the most common flavoring, but it’s still possible to track down a good cannolo made with a touch of Marsala at a traditional bakery. Just as in Sicily, you’ll find candied cherries and citrus peel, pistachios and chocolate pieces decorating the tops of the cannoli.

Now that I’ve got you heading to the nearest pasticceria or bakery, don’t forget to stop back by The italyMONDO! Blog next Friday as we travel from Sicily up the coast of Italy to Naples where we’ll discover the traditional Babà Napoletano.

Buon appetito!

Would you like to taste true Sicilian cannoli and find your family in Sicily? Contact us and find out how italyMONDO! can help you discover your roots in Italy and create a vacation of a lifetime for you and your family!

Photo Courtesy of “alifayre” 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!

Believe it or not, Halloween—the traditional spooky day of costumes, fright and eating too much candy—is starting to catch on here in Italy. Throughout Italy you will often see carved pumpkins, costumed kids running through the piazzas and signs for Halloween themed parties at local restaurants or clubs. In some areas you’ll even find Halloween tours of medieval towers, castles and creepy catacombs lined with mummies and bones. Celebrations are now widespread enough that it’s safe to say Halloween has been adopted into the Italian culture.

Halloween falls just before two important religious holidays in Italy that come at the beginning of November. The first day of the month is Ognissanti or Tutti i Santi—called All Saints’ Day in English—and is a day dedicated to honoring all of the saints and martyrs who have died for the Catholic faith. In Italy, Ognissanti is a national holiday, and you’ll actually find most businesses closed. The faithful attend mass and celebrate the day together with family, a tradition often forgotten in American culture.

The following day, November 2nd, is called Il Giorno dei Morti or, as is often the case in Italy, simply “Tutti i Morti.” (In America we call it All Souls’ Day, probably since “The Day of the Dead” doesn’t have a good ring to it!) It is a day dedicated to remembering all of our loved ones who have passed away. Cemeteries are crowded on both Ognissanti and Il Giorno dei Morti as Italians pay respect to their ancestors who have since departed by cleaning and decorating their graves with flowers, wreaths and votive candles. Both days are customarily spent with family, and the sense of community is tremendous as people gather to share family stories and memories. In Southern Italy, many who have immigrated to the more industrialized north often return to their native towns and villages to celebrate these two religious holidays.

Historically, Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, was just the beginning of the celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. While these are still the main holidays recognized in Italy, Halloween is certainly gaining in popularity. For many Italians, the origin of Halloween matters less than the chance to celebrate another festa (party). Much like in America, children here in Italy enjoy dressing up and walking from store to store through town asking, “Dolcetto o scherzetto?” (Trick or treat?) The wonderful chocolates, candies and traditional treats they take home might just make you want to dress up and join in the fun!

In some areas of Italy you’ll even find Halloween tours of medieval towers, castles and creepy catacombs lined with mummies and bones.

While many of Italy’s Halloween traditions are similar to America, there are some that are uniquely Italian. To experience a distinctly Italian Halloween, head to the small medieval hill town of Corinaldo in the Marche region for La Notte delle Streghe – The Night of the Witches. This year Corinaldo, called the Halloween Capital of Italy, will celebrate the 12th edition of their Halloween festival with music, dancing, and the Miss Strega (Miss Witch) competition—a fun and lively witch–themed fashion and talent show. Frightening!

As Halloween grows in popularity here in Italy, shops are beginning to sell decorations and even a variety of Halloween costumes (although the selection is still often limited to bat, ghost or witch). However, the holiday still remains refreshingly free of the commercialism often associated with it in America—especially when you travel through Italy’s rural hilltop villages. These authentic—and often spontaneous and informal—celebrations are the real treat of Halloween in Italy.

Buon Halloween!

Photo Courtesy of “Andrew & Suzanne” at Flickr

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!

While calcio is undeniably the national sport of Italy, the well-loved game of bocce captures something essential about the Italian spirit. Across the country, from the big cities of northern Italy to the smallest villages of the South, you can hear the familiar clicking sound of the bocce balls and watch groups of Italian men (and women!) enjoying this ancient pastime. The widespread popularity of this social sport has made bocce, like pasta and Ferrari, one of the quintessential symbols of Italy — known throughout the globe to both Italians and non-Italians alike.

The origins of bocce date back to the Ancient Egyptians who played a game with polished rocks similar to today’s game. The game made its way to Greece around 800 BC, and the Romans later picked up the game from the Greeks. It quickly spread in popularity throughout the Roman Empire. The early Roman variation of the game often involved wooden balls or coconuts that they carried with them back from Africa. Bocce, whose name is the plural form of the Italian word boccia, which means “bowl,” grew in popularity over the centuries as a sport, popular with both peasants and nobility alike. From the Roman Emperor Augustus to the Renaissance man Galileo, bocce has been a popular pastime on the Italian peninsula. It became so popular, in fact, that at times it has been viewed as a threat by rulers—believed to detract soldiers from their more important military exercises. In 1576, the Republic of Venice officially actually bocce, and punished those who were caught playing with fines and imprisonment. Who would have thought a game could cause so much trouble?

Never played bocce before? It’s simple! The game is played on a long, narrow court using one small ball, called a pallino (or, in some regions, boccino), and eight larger balls. It can be played with as few as two or as many as eight players divided into two teams. The pallino is first launched down the court and the goal is to get the larger balls, often colored red and green in honor of the Italian flag, as close to the pallino as possible. It is a game that requires great focus, and a good team will often feature both players who are skilled at rolling the ball closest to the pallino and also players who have a keen eye for knocking their opponent’s balls out of the vicinity of the pallino.

In 1576, the Republic of Venice officially actually bocce, and punished those who were caught playing with fines and imprisonment. Who would have thought a game could cause so much trouble?

Although it might sound like just a simple game, remember that Italians take bocce seriously! When listening to a game from a distance, the prominent, almost zen-like sound of the clicking of the balls will often be drowned as you hear a cheer roar up among the team whose key player just made a strategic or difficult shot.

Throughout Italy you will hear these sounds, from groups of children playing a similar game with stones to old men who meet like clockwork every week to pass time together. The game of bocce has become popular around the world as well, especially in North and South America as well as Australia — areas that have been heavily influenced by the millions of Italian immigrants that left Italy in the late 19th and 20th century. Bocce is an important piece of Italian culture that has been carried around the world and continues to be cherished today by those of Italian heritage — building new traditions and creating lasting memories, just as their ancestors in the “Old Country” had done for hundreds of years.

If you happen across a game of bocce during your travels in Italy, stop and enjoy a taste of everyday Italian life. Or better yet, why don’t you try your own hand at it and giocare a bocce!

It’s the middle of August, and across Italy the temperatures are going up and up. Whether you measure your degrees in Celsius or Fahrenheit, throughout Italy August is a sticky time of year in almost every city and region. Visiting Italy in August, you might notice that the streets of many of the big cities are surprisingly empty. Where have all the people gone? Now is the time of the annual vacanze estive, or summer vacations, which traditionally takes place during the month of August. For many Italians it is a chance to escape the smoldering city temperatures by heading to the nearest beach or by returning to their ancestral villages, often in southern Italy. During the hot August month, these small seaside towns and picturesque mountain villages of the rural south come to life with Italians returning home to spend holiday time with family. For these Italians born in southern Italy who have since emigrated to northern Italy and other locations throughout Europe in search of work, August is an important time to return their villages of birth in the Molise, Abruzzo and other regions in southern Italy to reconnect with their family.

August is also the month of Ferragosto, which is celebrated nationwide on the 15th. While many visitors to Italy are not familiar with this holiday, it is one of the most important during the year after Christmas, Easter and New Years. A significant religious holiday, August 15th is the day when Roman Catholics celebrate the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. This holiday is known in Italian as La Festa dell’Assunta or L’Assunzione della Madonna. Long before it was an important Roman Catholic holiday, August 15th was a day set aside for celebrating the gods and the end of summer harvests. In ancient times, the Romans feasted and honored the gods and goddesses on this date in a festival called in Latin Feriae Augusti (Festivals of Augustus), established by the Emperor Augustus. The name Ferragosto used today is actually derived from this original Latin name for the holiday. In 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of the Virgin as official church dogma, and selected the date of August 15th on the liturgical calendar. As it is a bank holiday as well, you will find businesses closed as everyone goes out to celebrate with festivals, processions and elaborate firework displays.

While a day of great significance for Roman Catholics, in practice August 15th is a holiday for relaxing and enjoying the good weather in the company of family and friends – ideally heading to the beach or mountaintop. This is especially the case in many of southern Italy’s regions where you are often not far from a beautiful beach. The region of Campania, for instance, boasts the breathtakingly beautiful Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfi Coast, the islands of Capri and Ischia, and the lesser known but no less captivating Cilento coast, where enchanting villages such as Camerota, Palinuro, Pisciotta and Ascea are bustling with activity during the hot Italian summer. The same is true across every region in Southern Italy—from Abruzzo and Molise to Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria—where Italians return home to spend time with family and enjoy the beautiful coastlines and hilltop homes.

Wherever this finds you today, I hope you can spend this Ferragosto Italian-style by uniting with family and friends and enjoying the fine summer weather. Buon Ferragosto!