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Gianluca Rottura, the proprietor of “In Vino Veritas,” New York City’s landmark wine store, returns to the Italian American Podcast to bring us his take on the famed Italian Amari… But, we go completely off the rails and end up getting some of his best recommendations for the drinks and delicacies you’re going to want to try this Holiday Season!  F...

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The Advent period is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas, as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. The term “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival:” for many, it is a period of spiritual reflection as well as joyous anticipation. Ad...

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The stereotype of the Italian nonna, or grandmother, attempting to feed you until you burst holds true — especially at the holidays. No sooner had any family member walked through her door than my own nonna would lay out a tablescape of antipasti, already arranged and plated under a sheath of plastic wrap, waiting in the fridge for just the occasio...

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The Venetian Social Club in Philadelphia will host a special event on Dec. 10 to discuss Christmas traditions in Poffabro, Italy, as part of its yearlong centennial celebration. The club, originally founded by immigrants from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, puts on monthly events leading up to its 100th anniversary next year...

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Have you heard of the Italian American Christmas Eve dinner called the Feast of the Seven Fishes? Maybe that season-two episode of The Bear started you thinking about it. Where did it come from exactly? Is this a widespread thing? Could it possibly become your new favorite Dec. 24 tradition?  To answer that third question: It can! And you don't nee...

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This large-model Nativity set is most commonly found in churches, not homes. The donor’s father, Joseph Marchetti, worked as an artist for the Joseph Poli Company. Established in 1890 in Pittsburgh's Lower Hill District, the company specialized in decor for churches such as statuary, altars, railings, fonts, and sacramental robes. This Nativity set...

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Seymour resident and international opera singer Donata Cucinotta grew up loving to sing, and being an Italian descent, she learned at a young age the secret to making great pasta sauce. “It’s a scientific fact that if you sing to your pasta sauce, it will taste better,” she said. Cucinotta described herself as one of those kids who would not stop s...

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For many Italian-American families, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is as synonymous with Christmas as presents under the tree. A Christmas Eve tradition brought by immigrants from Italy in the late 1800s, it has evolved from an effort to abstain from meat into one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. From its humble Roman Catholic begin...

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On January 1, billions of people around the world will eat a meal that's not just nutritious or delicious — but lucky. In the Southern U.S., they'll have Hoppin' John with greens (symbolizing money). In Spain, each person will eat 12 grapes (one for each month of the year). Italians eat grapes, too, but they also have their own tradition: Lentils....

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Catholics around the world eagerly await for the Christmas period to celebrate the most festive holiday of the year, and food is a big component of that celebration. From Polish kolaczki to Spanish polvorones, the Catholic world counts on a diverse and vast selection of Christmas treats. In the Italian city of Siena, Tuscany, Christmas would not be...

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