They are the typical Christmas cookies of the holidays tradition, they were given away in small bags to the boys and girls of the villages who went round singing “Befanate” door to door in the evening of January 5 went to announce the Epiphany,

Today “befanini” are prepared in many regions of Italy during the Christmas period and there is no breakfast or snack where they can miss.

A group of boys of Viareggio, regular costumers of the Casino’s cafe, one day decided to organize  a parade of carriages festively decorated in the Via Regia, to celebrate the last day of Carnival. It was February 24 of 1873. Since then, the parades have continued to change and grow up to become what they are today: parades of colossal foats of papier-mache, a riot of color, music, dance, that form what since long time is considered the largest carnival in Europe.

S

an Biagio is the co–patron of Pietrasanta, a municipality in the high Versilia.

He is officially the protector of the throat, since he miraculously saved a child who was in danger of drowning with a fishbone in his throat. In many places of Italy, on February 3, the day dedicated to he Saint, after the liturgical celebration is practice the blessing of the throats of the faithful, and this also happens in Pietrasanta, in the Cathedral of San Martino, which exhibits, for the occasion, his relics.

Gombitelli is a small village between Camaiore and Lucca, just 20 kilometers from the city, a really pristine, rich in history and tradition. One among them its tongue. Gombitelli is in fact a ‘linguistic island’ where they speak an original dialect of Nordic origine, probably led by a group of German blacksmiths took to Italy with Charles V. The inhabitants learned the German language and gave birth to a very specifically idiom, even today spoke by the eldest of the country.

“Year 1914: Forte, this was the name it was known, came up with the navicello docking accuracy and put on top of the pier, end with a Bowline knot (la Gassa d’Amante), which was quickly fixed to the bollard . As its anchor was stable, the (left sail (la Mancina) began promptly at work, starting to lift loads with apparent agility, contradicted only by the creaking of ropes under tension.

For the last day of October, the anniversary of the Dead, not only carved pumpkins, but also a delicious velvety soup… always made ​​with pumpkin.
Sweet … and scary Halloween everyone!

PUMPKIN SOUP

what you need
pumpkin
potatoes (in 3/2 ratio)
leek,
olive oil, salt, pepper

The Buccellato is a sweet toasted bread with a traditional donut shape, but can also be found with a loaf shape. It’s a typical product of Lucca tradition, as demonstrated by the said “Who comes in Lucca and doesn’t eat the buccellato, is as he doesn’t had been there” .

“Anthony white beard, if it does not snow close enough.”

The winter is slow in coming, but in the day on Saturday 17, dedicated to St. Anthony Abbot, after the speech, we’ll have finally a probable start of the long-awaited winter season.

Since centuries, in many countries of Italy people celebratse in this day saint Antony, patron saint of the animals. All people gather into the streets with their animals and, after the Holy Mass, the animals receive the blessing in a festive and mystical atmosphere, around large bonfires prepared in honor of the saint.

For Halloween we propose a version of pancakes with spelled … and the result of the day!

pumpkin pancakes and spelt
 
what is necessary:
6 people
200g yellow pumpkin
200g boiled spelt
100g flour
80g of butter
50g of grated pecorino cheese
2 shallots
2 eggs
a glass of white wine
a glass of milk
salt and pepper
400g of bèchamel sauce

for the bèchamel sauce:
(serves for 400g)
50g flour
60g of butter
½ litre of milk

Halloween in itself is not exactly an Italic celebration, but in the province of Lucca gloomy legends of sinister characters are handed down from father to son since time immemorial. So Streghi, witches, demonic pacts and Linchetti characterize Lucca and the Garfagnana above ground making it magical and mysterious..
So it is not hard to link these ancient tales of evil beings to the traditional night of the witches celebrated around the world every October 31 and revived thanks to the charm of this legendary night all fears of our ancestors.