CHRISTMAS ( In general)

 

Christmas is a religious celebration, which involves every year millions of people in the world. Its celebrations vary between regions, and of course because of the presence of different religions. For the Catholic Catholics this corresponds to the celebration of the birth of Christ, who has come (came?) to the world to save human beings through (with?) his own life.

In the USA, and in particular in New Orleans, it is celebrated with a huge ox paraded around the streets, decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

In Italy, Christmas starts at the beginning of December and lasts for 4 weeks, that (either you use which or you take the comma out) are called “Advent”. In this period the catholic Catholics prepare -themselves and- (seems redundant) their soul to welcome Christ’s birth. People go to Church, participate in various celebration, pray more and try to live this period in a more “positive” way than what usually happens (in a more positive spirit than usual?).

Families prepare their Christmas tree by filling it with decorations, coloured balls (you can also use "baubles")and lights. They also prepare the Christmas Crib.

 

CHRISTMAS DINNER IN ITALY

 

People in Italy use to usually celebrate Christmas in a very traditional way. On Christmas Eve, in the evening, (on the evening of Christmas Eve?) people meet together and pass the evening with their families. This is a moment when everyone has the possibility to spend some time together with those people who love them: as it usually happens during the year, people don’t have much time to meet friends and other beloved people. Therefore, this evening is a joyful event, because every sense of loneliness or depression can be overcome by the presence of -other people,- (seems redundant) those people one knows and loves. Anyway, some sense of depression can be felt by those people- like tramps- who have no house and no families to pass Christmas together with.

People meet with their families, have dinner together and after dinner go to Mass: the Mass usually starts at 11 o’clock with some prays and Christmas songs, then comes the “real” Mass, which lasts at least 1.30 hours (one hour and half?). After Mass people meet with friends in cafés, where they exchange gifts and

wish each other a Merry Christmas.

For dinner Italians have the typical dishes of the Italian Tradition. They consist of two different types of dinner: the so-called “Cena a base di pesce” (fish-based meal), and the “Cena a base di carne” (meat-based meal).

Here are some examples:

 

Cena a base di carne

 

Aperitivi

Antipasti misti

 

Lasagne al forno

Tortellini e/o ravioli di Natale (con ripieno di carne)

Pappardelle al ragù di carne o al ragù d’anatra

Risotto di funghi porcini

 

Arista al forno con crema di mele

Cappone al forno

Bollito di carne con purè e lenticchie

Zampone, lenticchie e purè

Fesa di tacchino con verdure

Faraona al forno con contorni di patate al forno

 

Contorni di stagione

 

Sorbetto

Frutta secca

Panettone e Pandoro

Spumante

Caffè e digestivi

 

Cena a base di pesce

 

Aperitivi

Antipasti misti

 

Tagliolini al salmone

Spaghetti allo scoglio

 

Sorbetto

 

Baccalà alla vicentina

Baccalà mantecato

Grigliata di pesce

Aragosta

Astice

Bollito di pesce

 

Contorni di stagione e verdura fresca

 

Panettone e Pandoro

Spumante

Caffè e digestivi

 

 

CHRISTMAS DINNER IN THE USA

 

In the USA people usually have the Christmas Eve’s dinner at home, together with their families.

 

RECIPIES

 

__Cocktail di scampi__

 

Dosi per 4 persone:

24 code di scampi lessate, sgusciate e tagliate a pezzi

1 tuorlo d’uovo

½ cucchiaino di senape

1 cucchiaino di paprika

4 cucchiai d’olio

1 cucchiaio di succo di limone

1 cucchiaio di brandy

2 cucchiai di panna liquida freschissima

3 cucchiaini di ketchup

Poche gocce di salsa Worchester

Sale

 

Per guarnizione:

6 foglie di lattuga bianca tagliata a listarelle finissime

Alcune foglioline di prezzemolo

Del ghiaccio tritato a neve

 

Passate al setaccio il tuorlo d’uovo, ponetelo in una terrina, amalgamatelo bene alla senape e alla paprika e incorporatevi l’olio, goccia a goccia. Aggiungete infine il succo di limone, un pizzico di sale, poche gocce di salsa Worchester, la salsa ketchup, il brandy e due cucchiaiate di panna liquida; rigirate molto bene in modo da ottenere una salsa cremosa.

Distribuite nelle coppette le listarelle di lattuga e su queste gli scampi, ricoprite con la salsa e ponete ogni coppetta sopra un letto di ghiaccio tritato; decorate la superficie con foglioline fresco di prezzemolo e servite immediatamente.

Prima di confezionare il cocktail lasciate raffreddare le coppette in frigorifero.

 

__Arista dell’Artusi__

 

Dosi per 4 persone:

1 kg. di carne di maiale tagliata dal quadrello o dal carrè

2 spicchi di aglio, tagliati a filetti

2 rametti di rosmarino

2 chiodi di garofano

½ bicchiere di olio

Sale e pepe macinato grosso

 

Spuntate le ossa del pezzo di quadrello, poi steccate la carne con filetti di aglio, rametti di rosmarino e due chiodi di garofano; conditela con sale e pepe. Legatela con uno spago sottile, ponetela in una teglia ovale con un poco d’olio.

Passate poi il recipiente in forno caldo, avendo cura di rigirare spesso l’arista, finchè non sarà dorata in maniera uniforme. Lasciatela raffreddare e, prima di servire, liberatela dallo spago e affettatela.

 

Vini da abbinare:

Chianti dei Colli Senesi servito a 16°

Aglianico del Vulture Rosso a 18°

Faro Rosso a 18°

 

SEE ALSO

 

REFERENCES

 

De Agostini, La mia cucina pratica

 

• http://www.superricettario.com/sr2/eng/menu_natale.asp

 

• http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/discussion/traditional-christmas-dinner/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Erica! I like your essay on Christmas dinner traditions. It does what it's supposed to do, and has a logical thread. I've added some language suggestions. As for paragraphing, I think it would be better if you left an empty line between paragraphs.

The main difference between celebrating Christmas in Italy and in the USA is probably that all Italians are in some way Christian and celebrate Christmas, while many Americans are not. In Italy traditions and dishes vary a lot in the different regions. You could also describe different Italian Christmas cakes or desserts. In the US traditions probably vary according to the different ethnic groups or heritage. I don't know if you've already looked at these pages, but anyway here are the links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_dinner#United_States

http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-america.htm

Take care

Alessandra

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