Buon Natale a tutti- Merry Christmas everybody

 

My family in Australia will be waking up soon, excited about the proceedings of the day ahead. However it is 5:30pm on Christmas Eve in Italy and there are many festivities to get through. The sky is grey, the sea ferocious, and the wind gusty- but the Christmas lights seem to make it all better.

For years now I have been wanting to make a 'panodoro' for Christmas and this year I actually put more of an attempt in than previous years. However I could not find one shop in Viareggio that sold the correct baking tin (who would have figured), and then I realised through the advise of wise friends that to make a proper 'pandoro', it is best to make your own yeast- which takes roughly 20 days! Needless to say another Christmas rolls by without a homemade 'pandoro'. But keep your eyes posted at Easter time! 

Any-way I just wanted to quickly share with you some of the treats that are typical at Christmas time in Italy (and sitting under my Christmas tree). For example when I was in Rome two years ago, every guest that arrived at the hosts house brought with them either a 'pandoro' or 'panettone'. By the end of the evening there were at least 20 stacked under the Christmas tree. They are a common gift to give instead of chocolates of flowers common in my homeland. Both are essentially a butter bread dough, and can be found filled with various ingredients such as chocolate, candied fruit, limoncello etc.

Other traditional sweets include:

'Torrone'- a confection typically made from egg whites teamed with honey, sugar and various nuts and sometimes fruit. However search this blog for the Sicilian version.

'Panforte'- a traditional flat style Christmas cake containing fruit and nuts. It dates back to the 13th century from Siena, Tuscany.

'Ricciarelli'- a traditional Tuscan biscuit consisting of almonds dating back to the 14th century- dusted with icing sugar

Whoever you are with this Christmas and whatever is on your plate, I sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas.

Kara xx

the menu for lunch at a friends house- including the treats mentioned above

my bike loaded with Christmas goodies