Feasts of Natale

~Blog post #2~

April 13, 2015

By Johnny Agosti

            When it comes to holidays in Italy, Italians do not take their feasts lightly. The Feast of Natale is the Italian Christmas, but unlike in America this feast lasts from December 24^th through January 6^th.  Each day is different and is usually celebrated the same way each year. December 24^th which is Christmas Eve usually begins with a light meal that includes no meat. After this meal it is tradition to go to Midnight Mass. The next day, December 25^th, Christmas day lunch is the most important meal of the holiday. The first meal of the day is antipasto with meat, olives and cheese. In central southern regions of Italy it is common to have Pasticcio al forno which is baked pasta with many different ingredients inside of it.  Lasagne Verdi alla Bolognese is traditional for the north, along with different kinds of filled pasta. As time goes on these traditions have changed but most Italians prefer the old school way to celebrate the Feast of Natale. The second course for the Christmas day lunch is either roasted, braised beef or roasted chickens with potatoes.  On December 26^th, Santo Stefano’s lunch is held. This meal is more of a casual event where friends and family will come to celebrate. This day focuses less on the food and more with the exchanged of presents with family and close friends. However pasta is still the common dish for Santo Stefano’s lunch.

 http://www.thatsamoreitalianfamilykitchen.co.uk/news-and-events/anitalianchristmasfeastguestoresto