Nociata
The nociata is a typical Christmas dessert of Lazio and Umbria. There are various versions from which to draw. I chose the simple one, which is prepared in Sabina: only 2 ingredients, honey and walnuts that once married together go to rest between two bay leaves to collect all the scent it can release. For this reason, it is advisable to prepare it a few days in advance, just to absorb the aroma. Ingredients
400 g of wildflower honey600 g walnutsfresh bay leaves to taste
Preparation
Wash the bay leaves and dry them. Pound the walnuts with a mortar. In a saucepan, cook the honey until it acquires a golden/reddish color. Add the walnuts and continue cooking for a few more minutes. Wet a cutting board with cold water (if you have a marble board, it's even better) and slide the nociata over it. With a wet spatula, level to about half a centimeter. Before it cools completely, cut into diamonds. Once cold, transfer each turbot between two bay leaves and leave for a few days to flavor.
The Befana comes at nightWith all broken shoesThe Ciociara dressLong live the Befana!
The Befana in the popular tradition
The Befana originates from the transformation of pre-Christian pagan cults to become over the centuries a character firmly linked to popular tradition. The name may derive from the misspelling of the name Epiphania. Until the end of the 19th century, the holiday was called Pasqua Epifanìa because until that period in Rome it was customary to precede the term "Easter" with the name of feasts of obligation. And then it became Pasqua Befanìa. Legend has it that on the night between 5 and 6 January, the Three Wise Men stopped at the house of an old woman to ask for information on how to reach Bethlehem. They also invited her to go and visit the Child Jesus. But she refused. Regretting not having gone to pay homage to the Baby Jesus, every year on the same night she goes to the home of all the children to bring them a gift. Tradition, on the other hand, tells us that on the night between 5 and 6 January, the three Magi went to Bethlehem, guided by a comet, to visit the Child Jesus, bringing with them the gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. By emulation, Roman tradition hands down that same night a witch riding a broom enters the houses to fill the stockings that the children have left attached to the fireplace with gifts and stops to refresh herself with a sweet and a drink that they have left for her. The Befana is represented as an old witch with a hooked nose, dressed in rags and riding a broom. She only appears after midnight and is not actually represented as an evil witch, because she brings gifts. Even if it punishes those who have been bratty... with coal... which is always a sweet anyway! Happy Befana to all. And don't forget to leave a sweet treat, a light wine and a light on!
The nociata is a typical Christmas dessert of Lazio and Umbria. There are various versions from which to draw. I chose the simple one, which is prepared in Sabina: only 2 ingredients, honey and walnuts that once married together go to rest between two bay leaves to collect all the scent it can release. For this reason, it is advisable to prepare it a few days in advance, just to absorb the aroma.
Ingredients
400 g of wildflower honey
600 g walnuts
fresh bay leaves to taste
Preparation
Wash the bay leaves and dry them. Pound the walnuts with a mortar. In a saucepan, cook the honey until it acquires a golden/reddish color. Add the walnuts and continue cooking for a few more minutes. Wet a cutting board with cold water (if you have a marble board, it's even better) and slide the nociata over it. With a wet spatula, level to about half a centimeter. Before it cools completely, cut into diamonds. Once cold, transfer each turbot between two bay leaves and leave for a few days to flavor.
The Befana comes at night
With all broken shoes
The Ciociara dress
Long live the Befana!
The Befana in the popular tradition
The Befana originates from the transformation of pre-Christian pagan cults to become over the centuries a character firmly linked to popular tradition. The name may derive from the misspelling of the name Epiphania. Until the end of the 19th century, the holiday was called Pasqua Epifanìa because until that period in Rome it was customary to precede the term "Easter" with the name of feasts of obligation. And then it became Pasqua Befanìa. Legend has it that on the night between 5 and 6 January, the Three Wise Men stopped at the house of an old woman to ask for information on how to reach Bethlehem. They also invited her to go and visit the Child Jesus. But she refused. Regretting not having gone to pay homage to the Baby Jesus, every year on the same night she goes to the home of all the children to bring them a gift. Tradition, on the other hand, tells us that on the night between 5 and 6 January, the three Magi went to Bethlehem, guided by a comet, to visit the Child Jesus, bringing with them the gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. By emulation, Roman tradition hands down that same night a witch riding a broom enters the houses to fill the stockings that the children have left attached to the fireplace with gifts and stops to refresh herself with a sweet and a drink that they have left for her. The Befana is represented as an old witch with a hooked nose, dressed in rags and riding a broom. She only appears after midnight and is not actually represented as an evil witch, because she brings gifts. Even if it punishes those who have been bratty... with coal... which is always a sweet anyway! Happy Befana to all. And don't forget to leave a sweet treat, a light wine and a light on!
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