cindy

After having a wonderful Tuscan vacation last June, my husband would like our Christmas dinner to be Tuscan too! I have plenty of Italian and Tuscan cookbooks, but would anyone know what a typical Tuscan or ROman Christmas menu would include? We'd like to make it as authentic as possible. This is more of a cooking related query than a travel one, but I thought you guys were the experts!

cindy

topping

Ira

Hi Cindy,<BR> Have you tried www.foodtv.com?<BR><BR>

belinda

Isn't there something about 7 fishes?

Laurie

Cindy- I believe the traditional Italian Xmas Eve dinner is 7 fish dishes. Then, typical Xmas Day is only Pasta. I don't know if this is Northern &amp; Southern Italy.

selena

Celebrations, Italian Style by Mary Ann Esposito <BR>This is a wonderful cookbook. In addition to many mouth watering recipes you will find many fascinating stories about the various holidays and feast days that Italians celebrate. This is available for purchase through Barnes &amp; Noble.com.

JOdy

a Roman and a Tuscan Christmas would not be the same. while the 7 fishes are traditional to Rome and south, with eel playing a major role, the Tuscan would more likely be centered on goose or capon.<BR><BR>Here is a great menu for Christmas eve dinner from a 25 yr old gourmet magazine<BR>It has the 7 fishes.<BR><BR>Insalata di Frutti di Mare ( seafood salad (octupus,squid,scallops,shrimp)<BR>Cavolfiore Gratinato( cauliflower)<BR><BR><BR>Linguine al sugo di vongole bianco( pasta with white clam sauce)<BR><BR>Capellini con le Acciughe (Pasta with anchovy sauce)<BR><BR>Aragosta alla Diavolo (deviled lobster)<BR><BR><BR><BR>Insalata di Lattughe ( endive and cucumber salad)<BR><BR><BR>Fresh Fruit<BR>Torrone<BR>Fichi Ripieni ( dried figs stuffed with almonds and orange peel)<BR>Cicerhiata ( a pastry with honey and walnuts)

gb

My 4 grandparents came from near Naples. Christmas Eve is a bacala (spelling). Salt cod, soak for at least a week, then fried in a breading. Boiled or fried calamari, spaghetti or ravioli and pastries for dessert. Typical cookies are strufoli (balls of fried dough covered with a honey sauce and sprinkles, I don't know the spelling but it sounds like suf fool ya del ( It's a crispy pastry baked and stuffed with a cheesy inside like a cannoli), Italian cream cake, pizelles, and cannolis. Christmas day would include several meats, as a sounds like-bra zool (a thin flank steak with a bread stuffing), a turkey, a ham, ravioli and home made spaghetti, roasted potatoes, green beans, an antipasti before the meal, and the above pastries, and a panettone. Italian candies and nuts at the end of meal before coffee.

cindy

Thanks--I knew about the fish dinner on Christmas Eve. My mother-in-law always did that, but we have a new tradition of going out to dinner on Xmas Eve! So I guess I'll adapt some of GB's suggestions for Christmas Day. Thanks again..