Christmas Recipes From Sorrento Italy

Olga Stinga sends Italian Christmas Recipes from Sorrento Italy


Christmas Recipes From Sorrento Italy:

Discovering Sorrento Christmas Tradtions and Learn Italian At Sant'Anna Institute with Olga Stinga

In Sorrento, cooking is a family matter.  In the past, recipes were verbally transmitted from mothers to daughters.

In my family, cooking is a way of life, it is a way for us to connect, share and bond.

My mom still keeps an old copy book where her mother (my beloved Nonna Pasqua) wrote recipes and now I am doing the same.

I have my own copy book where I write recipes, especially the ones for Christmas cakes.

In my family Christmas time means Struffoli and today I'd like to share with you my recipe.

Below you will find the English and Italian versions of my recipe so that you will be able to practice your Italian and, maybe, you will consider a visit to Sorrento to learn Italian at Sant'Anna Institute (www.sorrentolingue.com) where I am the Director and the Head of the Italian Department (with the passion for food and cakes!)

Buon Natale a Tutti, Happy Holidays.....and....See you in Sorrento!

Struffoli
(by Olga's Grandmother, Nonna Pasqua)

Igredients:
1 kg of flour
16 grams of salt
100 grams of sugar
8 eggs
greated zest of 2 oranges and 2 mandarins
120 grams of butter

To decorate:

mixed candied fruit
tails and aniseed mixed
honey orange blossom
orange zest
candied cherries

For Frying:
lard and olive oil (peanut oil)

Method:
Dough flour, sugar, citrus zest, salt and 4 eggs

Stir for a few minutes and then add the butter and the other 4 eggs

Mix all ingredients to obtain a dough.  Work the dough by hand so as to be smooth and elastic.  

Divide the dough in half and then in other parts........

........spinning each piece to obtain sticks not too thick. Flour thoroughly and keeping them close cut small cubes, the size of chickpeas.  

Flour also and gradually pour into a colander, shake until no extra flour.   

Then fry them in hot oil.

Once the struffoli float up in the oil, please take them out of the oil immediately.

Once fried place them on paper towels and let cool.

At this point, add the candied fruit, orange peel and honey.  Mix evenly....and transfer to a plate and then decorate with colored candies, candied cherries and aniseed mixed.

Struffoli are ready!  Delicious!

Earthquake relief event in Assisi

Anne Robichaud has allowed me to share a recent event in Assisi to raise funds for the recent earthquake disaster relieve.   http://www.annesitaly.com/

You can read the entire story and enjoy the many photos at http://www.annesitaly.com/blog/in-assisi-solidarity-is-music/

In Assisi, “Solidarity IS Music”….

 

…….….as the black T-shirts of the Florentine jazz musicians, Funk Off, proclaim. And on an early October Sunday, their trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, drums and cymbals blared out the message through Assisi’s medieval alleyways, just In case you’d missed it.

The appeal shouted out? To share in three days of music and solidarity sponsored by Umbria Jazz as a benefit for those left homeless in the August 24th earthquake. Over sixty of Italy’s most renowned jazz musicians – often on center stage in Perugia each July during the Umbria Jazz festival – responded immediately to the call to come to Assisi for three days of benefit concerts on September 30, October 1 and October 2. Big names on Italy’s jazz front, all the musicians were listed in yellow lettering on the backs of the T-shirts.

Answering the call to solidarity, wineries, local farmers and grocers provided the foods for a jazz dinner on October 1st (between afternoon and evening shows at Assisi’s theater, Teatro Lyrick) – and for pasta dishes and lentils served on Sunday in Assisi’s main square. All the Umbria specialties of the festival were cooked up and served by volunteers. At the evening jazz concerts, other volunteers sold the black “Musica e e’ Solidarieta’“ T-shirts at the theater entrance. An Assisi hotel, Hotel dei Priori, hosted all the guest musicians. (An astounding show of solidarity as this is “high season” in Assisi; during the week of the Feast of St. Francis, October 4th, hotels are sold out in this town).

“Why choose Assisi for this Umbria Jazz solidarity event – and not Perugia?” I’d asked the founder of Umbria Jazz Carlo Pagnotta before the Saturday night concert of famed jazz pianist Stefano Bollani. “Because of Assisi’s links to an earthquake: that of September 1997. We sent out a call for solidarity then, too, with musicians playing as a benefit in Foligno.”

A Sardinian folk group in colorful traditional costumes joined locals and visitors in clapping to Funk Off’s final number: they’d be performing next (a prelude to the October 4th festivities). Funk Off would be heading on to Norcia to play for those living in tents now following the earthquake.

The Funk Off fans lined up in front of our medieval city hall to choose one of three dishes representing areas suffering earthquake damage: pasta all’amatriciana (for Amatrice in Latium, near the epicenter), pasta alla norcina (for Norcia, here in Umbria) or the zuppa di lenticchie, lentil soup of the famed lentils of Castelluccio (here in Umbria, also with quake damage). Smiling volunteers took payments and handed out receipts while others dished up the goodness.

Read more about this solidarity event’s link to Assisi
Read more on Assisi area solidarity
See – and hear – Enrico Rava with Stefano Bollani, two musicians here in Assisi
Feel the emotion of Paolo Fresu’s trumpet, also here for the benefit
See and hear two performers, pianist Danilo Rea playing with Paolo Fresu
Read about – and see!- Funk Off at Umbria Jazz
Click here for more on Funk Off at Umbria Jazz
Read about our amatriciana benefit dinner
Read more about the August 24, 2016 earthquake – and solidarity

Cooking vegetarian in Puglia: a small glimpse of this fall event

Italian cooking

 is more enjoyable with a local wine.  

The cooking and wine school in Puglia, Italy offers a wide assortment of custom events that make a trip to Italy more than museums and monuments.   

But it is Ylenia Sambati who will 

be the reason you return to Puglia. 

  

A lifelong vegetarian, I have asked Yle to share Italian-vegetarian recipes with me to post on Home to Italy as well as puplish with La Gazzetta Italiana newspaper.  


Now you can learn a healthy way to cook Italian dishes during a a special week of cooking (click here for details), learning and experiencing the area near Lecce.

The perfect setting for cooking lessons at the school

 Here is a small sample of a cooking lesson
with Yle

You can take cooking lessons everywhere in Italy.   But an experience with Cook in Puglia is so much more.

"Meeting Yle more than 3 years ago was one of the unplanned events that can leave a lasting impression.   
When I return to Puglia, I never feel like a tourist, but like a friend returning home."  

Certosa closing outside of Florence: 4 monks are being relocated.

Sad News!

I just read about the closing on the monastery with only 4 monks outside of Florence.

You may have read my post from the very interesting visit I made a year ago with a local expat and friend Sheila.

I am very sorry to see the closure of this amazing complex.   If I can return to Florence in November I shall take another bus trip out to visit the monks before they are relocated.   Just hope they continue the daily tours or I shall be attending a Sunday mass!

Story from the Florentine:

NEWS

The end of Certosa

From monastery to museum?

Editorial Staff

July 13, 2016 - 12:21

 

Only four monks remain at Certosa di Galluzzo and their religious order has instructed them to leave by the end of the year.
 

 
The first Cistercian monks moved into the fourteenth-century religious complex in 1958, replacing the Carthusian order. In the beginning, Certosa flourished, training the young brotherhood to become priests, but the vocation was lost gradually and no younger generation has taken over the reins.
 

The four monks, infirm and ageing, still living at Certosa are no longer able to take care of the vast religious complex by themselves. Owned by the State, the superintendency for architectural and landscape heritage of Florence is taking over the management of Certosa—the monks will leave by the end of the year.
 
In an article in local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino, Padre Luigi, one of the four monks left at Certosa, commented, “This place will change from being a monastery and become a museum, and it will lose its spiritual essence… We have done a lot here. Now it will be up to someone else not to disperse our work.”

 
In their 60 years here, the monks have worked hard to support themselves, receiving no support from the Church: preserving books and making jams, ancient-style liqueurs and ceramics, as well as offering guided tours, including the priceless frescoes of Pontormo, maintaining the monastery and holding public mass on Sunday mornings.

The story noted above in the Corriere Fiorentino is in Italian and the online translation is not great, ut I will share it with you as well


As quoted in the above newspaper and auto translated (leave a lot to be corrected)

Choc Charterhouse, the farewell of the monks

The four leave the religious complex of Galluzzo later this year: "we are too few, now nothing will make more sense

by Jacopo Starlings

by

I AM INTERESTED IN

the arguments

· 

I AM INTERESTED IN

A- A +

shadow

 

total votes

1

0

1496

2

To Watch

Highlights onoff

Print

Listen

Email

After nearly 60 years, the Cistercian monks at the end of the year will leave the Certosa del Galluzzo. The first arrived here in 1958, instead of the carthusians. There was the student to become priests, many monks and many vocations. Then, decade after decade, that vocation has faded gradually. The monks are aged, many have died. There was generational.

Today they remained only in four and alone cannot sustain this large monastic complex, one of the most beautiful in Italy. The facility, owned by the State, will change management. The monks will leave by the end of the year. Instead of monks, will replace the Superintendence. Father Luigi, one of 4 monks were, says: "this place will be transformed from a Museum, and will lose its spiritual essence. In any case, no regrets: ' we have done so much, now it's up to someone else not to lose our jobs. As for us, it's not the House that makes the monk. "

The saddest is Father Saleem, arrived here in 1958, when he was only 19 years old: "our order has decided so, but leaving the monastery I lose a piece of life, I won't be able to work anymore, nothing will make more sense." He lives locked up ten hours a day in his laboratory for the restoration of old books. Volumes even in the fourteenth century, arriving here in dramatic conditions and that, thanks to their experience, they come back to life. The reputation of Father Sixto took him in universities and libraries of Russia, Argentina, Egypt, Chile.

Here in the monastery sleeping in cells, wake up at 5 and then two hours of prayers. Then get to work up to 19. There is the restoration of books and the production of jams, the collection of figs and oranges, the distillery where liquor with ancient methods and the pottery workshop. Monks handyman, that self-support without receiving salary from the Church. And then the guided tours, morning and afternoon, maintenance of the monastery and the public mass on Sunday morning, in addition to the summer theatre of the chairs. "We've always done it all ourselves — says Father Luigi — but now we were too few."

Especially as one of the four monks, the eldest, the prior Roberto, is ill and no longer able to work. Then there's Father Berenè, Eritrea, also sorry to leave. The Carthusian monastery there are works of great value, such as the frescoes by Pontormo. Will remain almost everything here. But the monks fear for the future of this religious stronghold. Father Sisto looks around and sighs worried: "Let's just hope it doesn't become a hovel."

July 9, 2016 | 11:30

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Italy: Closed for August

From the Archives

August 15 is 'marked on the calendar in red', I was informed by Olga Stinga  one of my great sources in Sorrento, for Italian insight.1



Ferragosto on August 15th, is Assumption Day, a national holiday.  A day when offices, factories, many stores and restaurants are closed it also is the beginning of the exodus from the cities and towns for families not working in the tourist industry.   

The month of August traditionally has been the month for vacanza, vacation, when Italians leave the cities for the cooler mountains, countryside and the sea.     The Italians I lived among in Sorrento loved the sun.   Before temperatures allowed coats to be left at home, the decks for the countless lounge chairs along the Marina Grande were being constructed.    Bodies would fill each sun bed, cover the rocks in coves and grill on the stone beaches along the coast.    The Italians love the sun.


For a perspective on small towns vs cities, I asked my Italian friends to tell me about August closings. "The practice of closing for the entire month (of August) is not common, perhaps because of the economic situation the last few years" Isabell Salesny, in Rome, tells me.   "Any small retail activity, bars, pizza take aways, ice cream shops, close from the 15th to the end of august." "From June to the end of August, grandparents, stay at home moms and children are at the beach.  Husbands visit on the weekends?"  2



Vacations may be shortened to a few days around Ferrogosto, 2 weeks or until school children return to the classroom in September. 


My translator, Caterina lives in  Ravenna  and shares that "the month long holiday is shrinking.   Some services do not close:   pharmacies, tourist attractions.
In smaller towns usually there is only one baker and one vegetable store, and in many cases one shop for both kinds of products, and of course the owner doesn't close."  "Barber shops close for vacations, (my hair dresser closes for two weeks."  3      
" the hardware store may close for a week or more, but here in Ravenna we have a mall and many supermarkets, where you can find everything while you wait until you favorite shop will open again."


Myra Robinson lives about an hour outside of Venice, is an author and an expat.  She answered "how August closings affect daily life?" "Quite often local stores stagger their holidays so that there is always one barber's open etc. The little supermarket is suspending its continuous opening hours and will be closed from 1 to 3.30. I remember from last year that the (Saturday) market was somewhat diminished in July and August. The usual shoe stall and handbag stall were not there, but there was always a fish stall, green grocery etc whereas normally there would be two or three. 4


Monica Cesarato my Venice authority:  "yes they do, usually for a month in August - even in Venice, last night I saw an Osteria which was closing for a month from middle of July to middle of August.

But I have to say as the years go by I see more and more people not closing during the summer, due to the crisis." 5

"Lecce is always opened" declares Yle Sambati in Puglia.
"August is the month of holidays for many Italians: many of them go on holiday in

August at least mentally..unplugged for at least 20 days.   It is the time of the year during which (you) forget about public offices or quick replies.......most of them say "it's August" (this is hilarious right?), or "contact me after august".
 

"And since Puglia is more than ever before,  the TOP place for the Italians, they all head south.
Especially in the Salento - namely the trendiest part of Puglia - with its incredible beaches and summer places, services and facilities are available also in August except for FERRAGOSTO"

"In the past, the cities used to be empty in August since all the locals were on the beach or enjoying their summer houses. It's different now,  In Lecce, for example, from the morning till very late at night you have people in town and many facilities available."

"The shops that close are mostly those outside the historic town, since this is the part of the town where most locals and tourists enjoy the DOLCE VITA, what in Lecce we call THE MOVIDA.  Shops and facilities may close " PER FERIE" (summer holiday) and open up again after Ferragosto (August 15th) or for the Saint Patron Celebration (Festa di Sant'Oronzo August 24 - 26)".6

."

My new BF Tina with DND said:  What Ferie?7



Buono Vacanze

Thank you to all my contributors from Italy for your input and willingness to answer my many odd questions.

1.  Olga Sting Study Abroad Program Coordinator & Head of the Italian Department, Santa Anna Institute  http://www.santannainstitute.com
2.  Isabell Salesney, Estate Agent and co founder of Rome based, www.Casaitaly.it
3.  Catterina   for translations find her on Fiver.com  as slam24
4.  Myra Robinson, author of Fried Flowers and Fango, writer, expat:  http://myrarobinson.info
5.  Monica Cesato, http://www.monicacesarato.com, learn Italian, home stay, cooking adventures and Venice experiences not in the travel books.
6.  Ylenia Sambati, owner of Yltour.com (www.yltourcongressi.com).  A travel concierge
  who works to maker you dream of Italy come true. 
7.  Discover Naples Destinations, DND.  A totally new way to travel and learn about Naples and it's surrounding treasures.  http://www.discovernapolidestinations.com, ask for Tina

Visit Puglia, Italy: Language and Cultural Experience

Puglia, Italy offers so much.............

Ylenia Sambati has created another unique adventure for her guests who explore the wonderful Salento area in Puglia.
  

Why not combine exploring Italian culture while studying Italian on your next adventure.   Your days will be filled with special events selected by perhaps the best travel expert in the Salento!

Join us on October 23 to 30th for a language and cultural program

Puglia Travel and Lifestyle Expert Ylenia Sambati has created a special,
new program that combines cooking, Italian language lessons and cultural experiences.    

A great introduction to the wonders of Puglia

Limited to just 8 travelers, this experience  is ideal for solo travelers or friends who seek immersion in the local culture via
language, food, wine and city tours.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN PUGLIA



Your amazing week in Puglia will include:

• 7 nights at a B&B or boutique hotel in Lecce

• round trip private transfers to each activity

• 5 day language course

• 1 day cooking course

• 4 guided tours

• guided winery visit

• 1 afternoon conversation class in a caffeteria

• breakfast daily

• 4 lunches and 5 dinners

• 1 Full Free 

Cost per person € 1.750,00 based on double room occupancy, single room add a one time fee of €100,00 (Airfare not included)

                                                                              

Learning some of the local language let's you interact with the people you meet every day in the shops, restaurants, hotel and at the local bar while you have a coffee.

"I have visited Puglia 3 times and each adventure Yle created for me has been wonderful.  You may arrive as a tourist but you can leave as a traveler with a new friend in Puglia"   Lee Laurino

This new trip has been designed by YLTOUR.PR.COM and


Home to Italy is happy to share this opportunity with you. 

Reserve your adventure and obtain further details from Yle:
www.Yltour.pr.com  the Puglia Travel and Lifestyle Expert.

.

  All photos are the property of Yltour.pr.com and can not be duplicated without written permission

The Cook in Puglia cooking and wine school is offering a special week featuring regional and seasonal home-cooking for vegetarians, vegans and Italian food lovers.  


                   
                   CULINARY TRIP FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS

IN PUGLIA  September 1 - 8, 2016
 
SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2016

Refresh your vegetarian and vegan cooking skills during a week-long vacation in Puglia and learn the culinary secrets of the famous local diet and  cucina povera.

A small group holiday in Puglia with a vegetarian and vegan cooking theme.
The holiday includes three hands on cookery sessions based on Puglia cuisine. 

During the workshops you will get a chance to sample a selection of Puglia wines with some produced by local varieties.

                                                                                Your adventure will include:

• 7 nights at a B&B /boutique hotel in        Lecce and a Masseria combined
• round trip private transfers to each          activity
• all meals and wine
• welcome drinks and aperitif
• lunch at an original Masseria (restored    farm estate)
• 3 Italian language lessons
• 3 day cooking courses
• market shopping tour
• 4 guided tours
• guided winery visit and a picnic
• 1 Full Free Day

Cost per person € 1.830 based on double room occupancy,
single room add a one time fee of € 100

(Airfare not included)
 This trip has been designed for www.hometoitaly.com
by YLTOUR PR, the Puglia Travel and Lifestyle Expert  www.yltourpr.com                                            

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Join us on October 23 to 30th

Visit Puglia, Italy: Language and Cultural Experience

     
Ylenia Sambati has created another unique adventure for her guests who explore the wonderful Salento area in Puglia.
  

Why not combine exploring Italian culture while studying Italian on your next adventure.   Your days will be filled with special events selected by perhaps the best travel expert in the Salento!

Puglia Travel and Lifestyle Expert Ylenia Sambati has created a special,
new program that combines cooking, Italian language lessons and cultural experiences.    

A great introduction to the wonders of PugliaLimited to just 8 travelers, this experience  is ideal for solo travelers or friends who seek immersion in the local culture via
language, food, wine and city tours.

 
                   LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN PUGLIA



Your amazing week in Puglia will include:

• 7 nights at a B&B or boutique hotel in Lecce

• round trip private transfers to each activity

• 5 day language course

• 1 day cooking course

• 4 guided tours

                                   • guided winery visit

                                   • 1 afternoon conversation class in a cafeteria

                                   • breakfast daily

                                   • 4 lunches and 5 dinners

                                   • 1 Full Free  

Cost per person € 1.750,00 based on double room occupancy, single room add a one time fee of €100,00 (Airfare not included)                                                                          

Learning some of the local language let's you interact with the people you meet every day in the shops, restaurants, hotel and at the local bar while you have a coffee.
This new trip has been designed by YLTOUR.PR.COM and  Home to Italy is happy to share this opportunity with you. 
Reserve your adventure and obtain further details from Yle:   www.Yltour.pr.com  

the Puglia Travel and Lifestyle Expert.
All photos are the property of Yltour.pr.com and can not be duplicated without written permission

                

 

Visit Puglia: Italian Cooking:Vegetarian and Vegan cooking event

The Cook in Puglia cooking and wine school is offering a special week featuring regional and seasonal home-cooking for vegetarians, vegans and Italian food lovers.  

CULINARY TRIP FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS

IN PUGLIA  September 1 - 8, 2016

SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2016

  

Refresh your vegetarian and vegan cooking skills during a week-long vacation in Puglia and learn 
the culinary secrets of the famous local diet and
cucina povera.

A small group holiday in Puglia with a vegetarian and vegan cooking theme.
The holiday includes three hands on cookery sessions based on Puglia cuisine. 

With the focus on local vegetables, it is all about simple regional and seasonal home-cooking.

During the workshops you will get a chance to sample a selection of Puglia wines with some produced by local varieties.

Your adventure will include:

• 7 nights at a B&B /boutique hotel in        Lecce and a Masseria combined

• round trip private transfers to each          activity
• all meals and wine
• welcome drinks and aperitif
• lunch at an original Masseria (restored    farm estate)
• 3 Italian language lessons
• 3 day cooking courses
• market shopping tour

• 4 guided tours

• guided winery visit and a picnic
• 1 Full Free Day

Cost per person € 1.830 based on double room occupancy,
single room add a one time fee of € 100

(Airfare not included)

This trip has been designed for www.hometoitaly.com
by YLTOUR PR, the Puglia Travel and Lifestyle Expert www.yltourpr.com                                            

To book this amazing adventure contact Yle Sambati at the above web site.

  

All photos are the property of Yltour.pr.com.