Buon Natale!

22 Replies

The end to a very stressful year is in sight. We will spend Christmas and New Year at home of course. And we will eat alone. But we will still have yummy things….just not Italian. Italy it is all about the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve, and then lasagna with ragu on Christmas Day. These are the traditional festive meals. I love these traditions but this year I decided to go against the norm. I think, in honor of the fishes I will have fish tacos on Christmas Eve! 😁 And I was gifted a duck for a Christmas present from my friend Vera, so that will be our Christmas dinner.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I have hopes that 2021 will be a much better year. It can’t be a lot worse, that’s for sure!

22 thoughts on “Buon Natale!”

  3. Nancy Hampton Post author

    Hi Rebecca. Yes! Lasagna is a real Italian thing. The reason you wouldn’t see it on the menu is that it is considered a dish for celebrations because it is so time consuming to make. So you’ll only see it on special occasions, which are usually religious holidays here in Italy. Ragu is any meat sauce. You’ll see it made from beef, or pork or a mixture of the two. Or wild boar (cinghiale) or duck. It can be white or red. White being made without tomatoes. Ragu is cooked for many hours until really tender. It is used in the layers of lasagna, or also as a pasta sauce for other types of noodles. Merry Christmas! Nancy

  4. Rebecca Phipps

    Lasagna with ragu, I have been wondering about lasagna for a long time as I have never seen it on a menu in Italy and had just about decided that it is an American invention. So I guess it isn’t? Is it only eaten at Christmas in Italy? And what is Ragu other than the brand name of jar spaghetti here in the US?
    And Merry Christmas and looking forward to being done with 2020 myself.

  8. Nancy Hampton Post author

    Oh, Jane! I have another friend just like you. She has a place here and hasn’t been in over a year. She also will keep her lease….I understand…and I adore Bevagna. Crossing my fingers 2021 will see you here. Send an email and we can have lunch. My email is on the contact page of the blog 🙂 Buon Natale, nancy

  9. Nancy Hampton Post author

    Thank you Kathleen! I hope every one of my new blogs is happy and optimistic! Speriamo 2021 is a better year! Buon Natale!
    Nancy

  10. Nancy Hampton Post author

    Thanks your for brightening my day. I’m glad my blog brings you closer! Buon Natale e buon anno!

  12. Nancy Hampton Post author

    Matthew, you are always so encouraging to me. Thank you…and have a safe holiday season. Nancy

  14. Casey Carter

    Thank you and enjoy one of my favorites, fish Tacos.
    It is the season to be happy and thankful.
    Casey from North of the central California boarder.

  17. Jane Applegate

    Nancy, thank you for a year full of friendly news and information. I value your insight. We are still here, just outside Dayton, Ohio, sending our monthly rent to our landlord in Bevagna for an apartment which we left last January. And beginning the fourth year of our lease. If we don’t get back in 2021, we will have lost out half our time. But, as you may have guessed, we plan to renew. Of course. Thanks again. Buon Natale!

  19. Antonia Allegra

    May 2021 bri g you new adventures and joy, dear Nancy! I live reading your blog…It brings Italy, especially Umbertide, alive over the miles. Grazie TANTO! Antonia Allegra

  20. Margaret Rosen McGarrell

    Merry Christmas my friend! One day, perhaps, we can share a Natale in Umbertide ♥️ Meanwhile your feasts sound wonderful! Enjoy!

  21. Matthew Daub

    Thank you so much, Nancy, and Buon Natale to you and Luther too! And thank you for the great pleasure you’ve given me as I’ve followed your blog this past year. I know there are many who feel as I do.

  22. Joanne Wualey

    Merry Christmas to you both! Can’t wait to see you in person in 2021 once COVID is under control.

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