|
|
Natale con i tuoi, la Pasqua con
chi vuoi - "Christmas at home and Easter with whomever you
wish" is an old Italian saying. However, people have a way of returning to the
hearth, and Easter is an occasion for far-flung families to reunite around a
well set table, renewing the bonds that tie. As is the case with most other
holidays, there is considerable variation in how it's celebrated from region to
region. A Neapolitan family would have, in the past, celebrated with the recipes
below (among other things). Nowadays the Minstra di Pasqua might be substituted
by something lighter, for example freshly made broth with tagliolini (noodles
similar to tagliatelle but about an eighth of an inch across). Lamb remains a
fixture, however, as does the pastiera napoletana.
Finally, a few observations on modern Easter celebrations.
You will want antipasti - finely sliced cold cuts such as salami, prosciutto,
coppa, and finocchiona, or, if you'd rather avoid pork, bresaola, which is cured
beef or horse (one has to ask for the latter). While the pork cold cuts are just
served sliced, bresaola requires preparation: Lay the slices on a platter and
drizzle them with the juice of a half a lemon and an equivalent volume of good
extravirgin olive oil, mixed together. In addition, you may want sottoli or
sottoaceti, baby onions, carrots, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and a variety of
other vegetables packed in oil or pickled (check your Italian delicatessen), or
an antipastino di mare (seafood antipasto; again, check your local Italian
delicatessen).
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||