Tombola! A Little Neapolitan Luck.

 

 

 

 

 

Southern Italians love to play the lottery, especially in Naples. The hope to strike it rich, fueled by a little Neapolitan superstition, has given birth to a traditional Christmas game, Tombola Smorfia. Italians believe the objects in your dreams at night correspond with lucky numbers. For example, you have a dream that you were sitting by a lake watching boats sail by.  First thing in the morning , you would go to the local "tabacchi", (news stand), and tell the vendor your dream.  He would then take out a tiny book, a dream dictionary of sorts, that lists objects and their lucky corresponding numbers. On a scrap of paper he would scribble down your numbers and urge you to play them in the lottery that day.  

A touch of this mystical gambling can still be seen in another version of tombola played in homes and in bars in Italy around the holidays.  In the same manner as bingo, cards are given to each player which show numbers accompanied by funny drawings such as a voluptuous woman or a man picking his nose! Someone acts as the caller, and shakes a wicker, cornucopia type vessel which holds wooden numbers. As numbers are called, players use beans, chick peas, or dried pasta is used to mark their cards.

When played in bars, players must purchase their cards of fortune, but prizes are edible, not monetary.  Cover three numbers and a plate of salami and cheese may show up in front of you.  Four numbers, a pizza or plate of spaghetti and clams. The big winner who covers all of the numbers first sometimes walks away with a whole prosciutto!

If you find yourself in Naples one day, be sure to dig through the piles at the vendor’s stalls selling everything from nonna’s housecoats to escarole.  You may get lucky and find a vintage Tombola game for sale!  Paper Tombola games can be purchased along Via San Gregorio Armenio in the year round Christmas market or online here:       http://www.dalnegro.com/eng/tombola-48-cartelle-smorfia.html

 

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Check out our tour of Naples & The Amalfi Coast 

http://www.anticoitaliantravel.com/amalfi-coast

 

 

 

Cannoli Workshops at Brigantessa

 

 

Grab a friend and stay warm in the kitchen at Brigantessa at  this hands on class, and learn to prepare authentic Sicilian Cannoli. Enjoy some wine and roll up your sleeves as we make the cannoli dough the old fashioned way, right on the table top!

We will be making the cannoli shells along with a variety of fillings: Nutella Ricotta, Traditional Chocolate Chip, and Orange Blossom Ricotta filling too!

WORKSHOP INCLUDES:

• Savory bites & wine to enjoy while cooking

• Recipes to keep

• Cannoli to take home

• Swag bag of Italian Treats

$75.00 per person. 2 person minimum to hold workshop.

Sundays 1/08/2017 through 5/21/2017

MUST BE BOOKED AT LEAST 1 WEEK IN ADVANCE OF CLASS DATE.

 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cannoli-workshop-at-brigantessa-tickets-29541239643?aff=eac2

      

 

 

  For more information on our tours or events

visit www.anticoitaliantravel.com or call Angela at (443) 440-0473

 

 

Struffoli! A Neapolitan Christmas Sweet

 

 

 

 

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Struffoli are tiny, fried bits of dough, tossed in warm honey and covered with a rainbow of sprinkles to bring you luck in the new year. It is believed the more struffoli you eat, the more luck you will have. This tradition originated in Naples, but can be found all over southern Italy, and is also known as cicerchiate in Abruzzo, which literally means "to chit-chat". An old woman once told me it got it's name from everyone sitting around the table snacking on a bowl these honey coated treats, while they gossiped about the neighbors!

As a child, I have fond memories of my great grandmother giving us kids pieces of the citrus scented dough to roll into little ropes, and how the smell filled the house as she cut and fried them.
Gather your family around the table one chilly afternoon, and bring this old world tradition into your home this holiday season with this fun and easy recipe. Buon Natale!


Struffoli
2 cups all-purpose flour (Plus 2 cups for working dough)
2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (softened)
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup Strega Liquor or White Wine
Zest ½ orange
Pinch of salt
4-6 cups vegetable oil for frying
2 cups honey
½ cup multicolored candy sprinkles

In medium bowl, whisk flour, salt, and sugar. Add eggs, liquor, softened butter and orange zest. Combine by hand until dough comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest in refrigerator 30 minutes.
Remove from refrigerator and begin making the struffoli by pinching off a small handful of dough and rolling it between your hands to form a thin rope, about ¼ inch thick. Cut rope into small pieces, ¼ inch thick, and set aside. Continue with the remaining dough.
In shallow pot or deep fryer, heat oil to 350F.
Fry about 1 cup of struffoli dough bits at a time. Cook about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove from hot oil with slotted spoon and let drain on paper towels to absorb any extra oil. While still warm, place struffoli in a bowl and pour honey over them, enough to coat. Stir and add sprinkle with multicolored candies. Enjoy warm!
TIP: To make ahead, cut ropes into little pieces and place in an even layer, on a parchment line baking. Wrap with plastic and freeze. Struffoli may be fried while frozen.

Join us on our culinary tours of Italy! For details visit http://www.anticoitaliantravel.com