Happy Italian Thanksgivng Y'all

Italians love any holiday that brings friends and family (and of course food!) together. My family is no different, and a typical Thanksgiving meal for the diCicco family is not for the faint of heart. It has a complete traditional New England style turkey dinner with all the trimmings, but that’s just one course! The rest goes something like this:




Antipasto: Italian meats, cheeses, olives, peppers, tomatoes, marinated mushroom, sliced vegetables and creamy ricotta dip – just a little snack and a glass of wine to get started.



Antipasta Freddi (Cold Appetizers): Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Salad, Pasta and Lentil Salad – just a little snack and glass of wine to get started.



Antipasta Caldi (Hot Appetizers): Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Sauted Spinach with Garlic and Roast Red Pepper, Potatoes and Artichokes with Lemon and Butter, Julies Cabbage Rolls and perhaps a nice Lasagna – just a nice warm snack and a glass of wine to get started.



By now, the Macy’s Parade is long over. Gossip and laughter from the women in the kitchen is getting louder and football in the family room is starting to gear up. It’s time to serve the next course, and “yes”, Lasanga and Cabbage Rolls are considered appetizers in my family.



Pasta Piatti (Pasta course): Grampi’s Handmade Ravioli and Gnocchi with Meatballs and Gravy, he often enlists the help of the grandchildren the night before to prepare these Italian delicacies for our “small army” sized family.- just a nice bite and a little more vino before the “real feast”



I told you it’s not for the faint of heart! We are only four hours in and the weaklings are already napping in front of the game. The children are no longer interested in what’s going on the kitchen; they’re out playing a game of tag football, taunting the neighbor’s dog, generally terrorizing the neighborhood, or texting about the horrors of family dinners. As evening approaches: “Dinner is Served”



Secondi Piatti (Second or Main Course): A toast to La Familia and a traditional New England Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings is served: Turkey, Stuffing, American Gravy, and what seems like endless side dishes. After the introduction of “Southerners” to our family one of these side dishes is often “Sweet Potato Fluff” and “yes” this brown sugar topped, bourbon infused casserole is considered a vegetable in my wife’s family.



By now, the last of the wine is being finished off, happy conversation and storytelling has started. It’s time to brew espresso and have a little sweet bite. Did I mention, “You might want to stay overnight?”



Dolce (Desserts): Pumpkin and Apple Pies, Italian Pastries and Cookies, Chocolates Nuts, Lucia’s Hazelnut Cannoli, Dark Brewed Coffee and Espresso served with Anisette.



The stories the around da tavola are getting funnier, and the laughter is almost deafening at times. While Thanksgiving Dinner maybe unique to each family, it’s a reminder for us all to be thankful.



If you want to add some diCicco family flavor to your holiday meal, pick up handmade Lasagna from Lucia’s or cook up a nice Fluff. Happy Thanksgiving Yall.



Fluff Part:

2 cups of cooked, fresh sweet potatoes

¾ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter

2 eggs, well beaten

½ teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

¼ cup milk

2 tablespoons good bourbon



The cook should sample the quality of the bourbon and request all guests do the same.

This step should be repeated as needed.



Beat the sugar, salt, butter, eggs, spices, milk, into the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth and light. Pour into a buttered baking dish.



Crunchy Part:

¾ packed cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter, melted

¾ cup chopped pecans

Mix brown sugar and flour together. Add melted butter and pecans and mix.

Spread on Top

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes till lightly browned.



For more info: http://www.luciastavola.com/