Traditional Holiday Dishes from All Around Italy
Italy is known for its contribution toward arts, literature, music, architecture, and food. When it comes to the holidays, food is a big part of Italian culture. And, what better way to celebrate the holidays than with delicious traditional holiday dishes? Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and just like everyone in America, you are probably looking forward to it. But, for Italians, it’s the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a public holiday celebrated every year on December 8th.
During the Immaculate Conception celebration, colorful parades, feasts, etc. are the order of the day. Then, comes Christmas and the New Year, both of which are also widely celebrated in Italy. So, if you are planning a trip to Italy, you definitely want your visit to fall around this time. Take it from someone who was born in Italy (though raised in Maryland), you sure are going to have a blast.
Top 5 Delicious Traditional Holiday Dishes
Holidays bring families together. And, enjoying delicious meals with your family by your side is a good way to make the festive season worthwhile. Italian dishes, in particular, are prepared with thought-out ingredients cooked in the simplest yet delectable ways. It’s hard to say no to them. As a result, Italian cuisines are famous globally. Without further ado, here are some of the tastiest traditional holiday dishes:
1. Minestra Maritata
The decadent Italian dish, Marche Lasagna, got its name from birthplace, Le Marche, Italy.
Minestra Maritata means “marriage soup” in English. But, contrary to what you may think, the name comes from how it’s made: green vegetables blended with meat. If you are a soup lover, chances are you have heard of this traditional holiday dish. Even so, this dish is most commonly made in the winter and features a savory taste.
2. Marche Lasagna (Lasagna Vincisgrassi)
To prepare this Italian delicacy, combine baked pasta with tomato and cream, ground beef, mushrooms, and Parma ham. Interestingly, the holiday dish is believed to have been handed down from Macerata, a large hill town in central Le Marche, Italy. Hence, its name!
3. Homestyle Ravioli
Traditional homestyle ravioli calls for meat and ricotta cheese in a lemon-garlic white sauce.
Native to Sardinia, this ravioli is quite the meal. To make the dish, you first flatten pasta dough into thin layers. Then, stuff the dough with meat or ricotta cheese. Finally, cook your ravioli in a sauce (most people prefer the lemon-garlic white sauce) and serve with a fresh garden salad.
4. Chicken Liver Canapés
Chicken Liver Canapés is possibly one of the simplest and most common canapés. This particular dish calls for chicken liver pate on baguette slices. Also, you can fry the liver, cut it up in little slices, and serve it on bread. Traditional Italians eat this dish by wrapping it in fried bacon or walnuts.
5. Homemade Pasta with Meat Sauce
Think Italian dishes, and this recipe is probably the first thing to pop in your head. While it hails from Calabria, it is quite popular all over the world. You can make this appetizing meat sauce at home with ground beef, green pepper, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices.
6. Roasted Lamb and Potatoes
The secret to tender roasted lamb, you ask? Marinating the meat overnight.
Featuring a pairing of roasted lamb and creamy potatoes, prepare this holiday dish by brushing lamb with garlic, rosemary, and lemon. Then, leave it to marinate overnight. Afterward, roast the lamb alongside potatoes coated with olive oil, rosemary, and seasoning. Fun fact: This traditional holiday dish originated in Lazio, Italy.
Find Your Favorites at Spizzico!
The fascinating thing about these traditional holiday dishes is that you can eat them on any holiday. Heck, you don’t even need a holiday to sample them. Just stop into Spizzico Italian Kitchen and check out our traditional Italian staples, like fresh lasagna, ravioli, and much more. Questions? Give us a call at (443) 214-5121.