Page 98 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 98
Traditions
Time-Honored
How some of our favorite Neapolitans embrace Christmas tidings
W ith Christmas congregating in the kitchen nibbling and drinking wine (the pickled
around the corner eggs are my favorite). We are all reminded not to touch the food
and so many festive
people in Naples, it’s no wonder before dinner as there will not be any left, but there is always enough
food at the dinner table to feed an army. As dinner approaches my
so many of our favorite Life in grandfather sharpens his knives and us girls set the table. It is tradition
Naples readers hold Christmas to eat prime rib, twice baked potatoes, asparagus or Brussels sprouts,
traditions so dear. Trimming with homemade Caesar salad. It is always a surprise what desert will
the Christmas tree, gathering be served but we all know it will be homemade. After dinner we
for a meal, crafting thoughtful exchange gifts and listen to Christmas music. I always spend the night
newsletters, each has a meaning and wake up the next morning to amazing smells coming from the
and embodies the joy of the kitchen. Breakfast consists of a homemade honey puff, fresh fruit and
season. Here are a few Christmas bacon. Recently we have been spending time on the boat Christmas
traditions we love. day and enjoying the company of our family and friends.”
– Kelly Cooper
“The very best part of
Christmas in our Italian/French “My favorite Christmas
home was Christmas Eve.
tradition is baking my
After a 4:30 Mass in which gingerbread
mother’s
my children participated in the live Nativity, we would return home cookies with my daughters
to begin the process of cooking the seven fishes in an assortment but making my sister do
of ways. It was a culinary feast for all the senses with a large family all the work, while I sip
present to sample all the delectable dishes from fried squid, shrimp, some holiday cheer. I do
scallops and smelts to pasta with various toppings. As the chief cook help with the frosting and
and bottle washer, I derive more pleasure watching the tasting process sampling, of course.”
and conviviality around our kitchen table than anything else. It truly – Shelly Stayer
was a time of coming together in happiness and love to celebrate the
birth of Jesus.” “My absolute favorite
– Louise Penta Christmas tradition,
which has been going
“Every year I celebrate on for generations, is an
Christmas Eve at the home annual family reunion on
of my grandparents. I head Christmas Eve. Relatives
to Marco Island with my from all over the world get
dog, Louis, in the early together for our annual
afternoon excited to share Christmas carol singalong
good laughs and better food. replete with printed song sheets, music accompaniment, food and
My grandmother is always in drink. What makes this so special is that it is the one time of the year
the kitchen preparing a feast that we can all reconnect with each other and welcome new family
while my grandfather and I members who are adding to the growing extended family through
solve world problems. Family marriage or the birth of new children into the family. It is traditional
arrives and everyone is always for each person to choose his or her favorite Christmas carol starting
98 Life in Naples | December 2014
Time-Honored
How some of our favorite Neapolitans embrace Christmas tidings
W ith Christmas congregating in the kitchen nibbling and drinking wine (the pickled
around the corner eggs are my favorite). We are all reminded not to touch the food
and so many festive
people in Naples, it’s no wonder before dinner as there will not be any left, but there is always enough
food at the dinner table to feed an army. As dinner approaches my
so many of our favorite Life in grandfather sharpens his knives and us girls set the table. It is tradition
Naples readers hold Christmas to eat prime rib, twice baked potatoes, asparagus or Brussels sprouts,
traditions so dear. Trimming with homemade Caesar salad. It is always a surprise what desert will
the Christmas tree, gathering be served but we all know it will be homemade. After dinner we
for a meal, crafting thoughtful exchange gifts and listen to Christmas music. I always spend the night
newsletters, each has a meaning and wake up the next morning to amazing smells coming from the
and embodies the joy of the kitchen. Breakfast consists of a homemade honey puff, fresh fruit and
season. Here are a few Christmas bacon. Recently we have been spending time on the boat Christmas
traditions we love. day and enjoying the company of our family and friends.”
– Kelly Cooper
“The very best part of
Christmas in our Italian/French “My favorite Christmas
home was Christmas Eve.
tradition is baking my
After a 4:30 Mass in which gingerbread
mother’s
my children participated in the live Nativity, we would return home cookies with my daughters
to begin the process of cooking the seven fishes in an assortment but making my sister do
of ways. It was a culinary feast for all the senses with a large family all the work, while I sip
present to sample all the delectable dishes from fried squid, shrimp, some holiday cheer. I do
scallops and smelts to pasta with various toppings. As the chief cook help with the frosting and
and bottle washer, I derive more pleasure watching the tasting process sampling, of course.”
and conviviality around our kitchen table than anything else. It truly – Shelly Stayer
was a time of coming together in happiness and love to celebrate the
birth of Jesus.” “My absolute favorite
– Louise Penta Christmas tradition,
which has been going
“Every year I celebrate on for generations, is an
Christmas Eve at the home annual family reunion on
of my grandparents. I head Christmas Eve. Relatives
to Marco Island with my from all over the world get
dog, Louis, in the early together for our annual
afternoon excited to share Christmas carol singalong
good laughs and better food. replete with printed song sheets, music accompaniment, food and
My grandmother is always in drink. What makes this so special is that it is the one time of the year
the kitchen preparing a feast that we can all reconnect with each other and welcome new family
while my grandfather and I members who are adding to the growing extended family through
solve world problems. Family marriage or the birth of new children into the family. It is traditional
arrives and everyone is always for each person to choose his or her favorite Christmas carol starting
98 Life in Naples | December 2014
