20 Italian Xmas Recipe They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Mar 18, 2024
Italians are known for their love of food, and it's no different when it comes to Christmas. The holiday season is a time for families to come together and enjoy delicious meals. And in Italy, one dish that is a must-have on Christmas day is the traditional Italian Christmas recipe, also known as "La Vigilia." This dish is a celebration of the abundance of seafood in the Mediterranean region and is a staple in many Italian households during the holiday season. Let's take a closer look at this mouth-watering dish and learn how to make it for your own Christmas feast.
Main Ingredients: Hazelnuts, Eggnog, White Sugar, Salt, Butter, Egg, Egg
Italian Christmas bread, or panettone, is a traditional sweet bread that is a staple in many Italian households during the holiday season. This delicious bread is typically filled with raisins, candied fruit, and nuts, and is often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or dessert. To make it even more festive, a rich and creamy eggnog glaze can be drizzled on top for a touch of holiday cheer. This recipe is perfect for those looking to add a little Italian flair to their Christmas celebrations.
While panettone can be found in many stores during the holiday season, there's nothing quite like making it from scratch in your own kitchen. This easy homemade Italian Christmas bread recipe is surprisingly simple to follow and yields a deliciously fluffy and flavorful panettone. The secret to making this bread so light and airy is letting the dough rise overnight, allowing the flavors to develop and the gluten to relax. The end result is a deliciously sweet and tender bread that is perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holidays.
Baking cookies is a beloved holiday tradition in many households, and Italian Christmas cookies are no exception. These delicious treats come in a variety of shapes and flavors, from anise-flavored pizzelle to buttery ricotta cookies. The most popular Italian Christmas cookies are typically biscotti, which are twice-baked and crunchy, making them perfect for dipping in a hot cup of coffee or tea. These cookies are a delicious addition to any holiday dessert platter and are sure to be a hit with friends and family.
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Italian Christmas strudel
Main Ingredients: Dried Figs, Marsala, Raisins, Walnuts, Almonds, Lemon
Strudel may be more commonly associated with Austria, but it is also a popular holiday treat in many Italian households. This flaky pastry is typically filled with a sweet and savory mixture of apples, raisins, cinnamon, and nuts, making it a perfect dessert for the holiday season. The dough is rolled out thinly and then filled and rolled up tightly before being baked to golden perfection. Serve this delicious strudel warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent Italian Christmas treat.
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Italian Ricotta Cookies (Italian Christmas Cookies)
Main Ingredients: Butter, Sugar, Large Egg, Almond Extract, Baking Soda
Ricotta cookies are a staple in many Italian households during the holiday season. These soft and cake-like cookies are made with creamy ricotta cheese and are bursting with flavor from lemon zest and vanilla extract. They are often topped with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles, making them a colorful addition to any Christmas cookie platter. These cookies are easy to make and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering.
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Cucciddati | Italian Christmas Cookies
Main Ingredients: Figs, Raisins, Unsalted Butter, Powdered Sugar, Orange
Cucciddati, also known as fig cookies, are a beloved Italian Christmas treat. These cookies are typically filled with a mixture of figs, almonds, and chocolate, and are shaped into a round or crescent shape. They are often topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and are a deliciously sweet addition to any holiday dessert spread. These cookies may take a bit more time and effort to make, but the end result is well worth it.
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Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake (Italian Christmas Cake)
Main Ingredients: Cake, Mascarpone, Vin Santo, Powdered Sugar
Pandoro is a traditional Italian Christmas cake that is shaped like a Christmas tree. This buttery and rich cake is usually topped with powdered sugar to resemble snow and is decorated with festive sprinkles or berries. While it may look intimidating, making a Pandoro cake is surprisingly easy and only requires basic ingredients such as flour, eggs, and butter. This impressive and delicious cake is sure to be the show-stopper at any holiday gathering.
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Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Doughnuts
Main Ingredients: Flour, Salt, Sugar, Dried Yeast, Water, Orange, Rum
Doughnuts may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Italian Christmas treats, but they are a beloved tradition in many Italian households on Christmas Eve. These doughnuts are often flavored with orange zest and vanilla and are typically served warm and dusted with powdered sugar. They are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for snacking on while waiting for Christmas dinner to be served.
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Spiced Italian Christmas Fig Cookies
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, Baking Powder
Spiced fig cookies are a delicious twist on traditional Italian fig cookies. These cookies feature a flavorful blend of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which pair perfectly with the sweet fig filling. They are often shaped into round balls and are topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. These cookies are a great addition to any holiday cookie platter and are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
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Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread)
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Instant Yeast, Lukewarm Water, Large
Panettone is a staple in many Italian households during the holiday season. This sweet bread is typically filled with candied fruit, raisins, and nuts and is often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or dessert. It is made with a rich and buttery dough that is flavored with vanilla and orange zest for a burst of flavor. This bread is perfect for sharing with loved ones and makes for a delicious Christmas morning treat.
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Struffoli di Natale – Italian Christmas
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Sugar, Large Eggs, Egg Yolk, Salt
Struffoli di Natale, also known as honey balls, are a popular Italian Christmas dessert. These small, fried dough balls are coated in a sweet honey glaze and are often topped with festive sprinkles. They are typically served in a tall stack, resembling a Christmas tree, making them a visually stunning addition to any holiday dessert table. These sweet and crunchy treats are a must-try for anyone looking to add some Italian flair to their Christmas celebrations.
Panettone, or Italian Christmas sweet bread, is a traditional holiday treat that is enjoyed by many. This rich and flavorful bread is typically filled with raisins, candied fruit, and nuts, and is often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or dessert. Making panettone from scratch may seem intimidating, but with a bit of patience and some basic ingredients, you can create a delicious and festive treat for your holiday celebrations.
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Italian Christmas Salad / Insalata Di Natale
Main Ingredients: Fennel, Celery, Endive, Oranges, Olives, Capers
For a lighter option to balance out all of the holiday indulgences, consider making an Italian Christmas salad. This salad is made with a mix of greens, such as arugula and radicchio, and is topped with seasonal fruits and nuts, such as pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts. A simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey ties all the flavors together for a refreshing and festive salad that is perfect for any holiday gathering.
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Lupini Beans and Olives, An Italian Christmas...
Main Ingredients: Beans, Salt, Olives
Lupini beans and olives may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Italian Christmas treats, but they are a popular snack in many Italian households during the holiday season. These beans are typically soaked in brine and served with olives, creating a salty and savory snack that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine. They are also commonly served as an appetizer before Christmas dinner, making them a versatile addition to any holiday menu.
There are countless variations of Italian Christmas cookies, each with their own unique flavors and shapes. From biscotti to pizzelle to cuccidati, these cookies are a staple in many Italian households during the holiday season. They are often enjoyed as a sweet treat after Christmas dinner or shared with friends and family as gifts. With so many delicious options to choose from, it's no wonder that Italian Christmas cookies are a beloved tradition in many households.
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Italian Christmas Bars
Main Ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, Butter, Sugar, Almond Paste
For a more portable version of Italian Christmas cookies, consider making Italian Christmas bars. These sweet and chewy bars are typically made with a buttery shortbread crust and a flavorful filling, such as fruit preserves, chocolate, or nuts. They are perfect for snacking on throughout the day and can also be packaged up as gifts for loved ones. These tasty bars are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves a good cookie.
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Italian Cookies (Italian Christmas Cookies)
Main Ingredients: White Sugar, Butter, Eggs, Anise Extract, All Purpose
It's no secret that Italians love their cookies, and Christmas time is no exception. Italian cookies come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, from simple butter cookies to more elaborate fig-filled treats. What makes Italian cookies unique is the emphasis on quality ingredients, such as real butter and fresh citrus zest, which results in a deliciously rich and flavorful cookie. These cookies are a must-try for anyone looking to add some Italian flair to their holiday dessert spread.
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Cucidati Italian Christmas Fig Cookies
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, Vanilla Extract
Cucidati, also known as fig cookies, are a popular Italian Christmas treat. These cookies are typically filled with a mixture of figs, almonds, and chocolate, and are shaped into a round or crescent shape. They are often topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and are a deliciously sweet addition to any holiday dessert spread. These cookies may take a bit more time and effort to make, but the end result is well worth it.
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Italian Christmas Cookie Cake
Main Ingredients: Ricotta Cheese, Eggs, Almond Extract, Heavy Cream
For a show-stopping dessert that is sure to impress your guests, consider making an Italian Christmas cookie cake. This cake is made by stacking layers of your favorite Italian cookies and filling them with a sweet and creamy filling, such as cannoli cream or ricotta cheese. The outside of the cake is then covered in a layer of frosting and topped with festive decorations. This cake is not only delicious but also makes for a beautiful centerpiece at any holiday gathering.
Panettone pudding cake is a delicious twist on traditional Italian Christmas bread. This cake is made by soaking slices of panettone in a rich and creamy custard mixture and then baking it to golden perfection. The end result is a moist and flavorful cake that is perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea. This dessert is a great way to use up any leftover panettone and is a delicious addition to any holiday dessert spread.
The History of La Vigilia
Origins and Traditions
La Vigilia, or The Vigil, is a tradition that dates back to the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on certain days, such as Christmas Eve. This tradition was later adopted by Italian families, who turned it into a celebration of seafood. As Italy is a country surrounded by water, seafood has always been a staple in their cuisine. And on Christmas Eve, families would gather to feast on a variety of seafood dishes, typically in the form of a multi-course meal.
The Feast of Seven Fishes
One of the most well-known traditions associated with La Vigilia is the Feast of Seven Fishes. This tradition originated in Southern Italy and involves the consumption of seven different types of fish and seafood dishes on Christmas Eve. The number seven is said to represent the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. While the dishes vary from family to family, some common dishes include baccalà (salted cod), fried calamari, and linguine with clam sauce.
How to Make La Vigilia
Ingredients
To make the traditional Italian Christmas recipe, you will need a variety of seafood. This can include fish such as cod, salmon, and shrimp, as well as shellfish like clams, mussels, and scallops. Other ingredients may include tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs such as parsley and basil.
Preparation
The key to making a delicious La Vigilia dish is to use fresh, high-quality seafood. Start by cleaning and preparing the seafood according to your chosen recipe. In a large pan, sauté garlic and olive oil, then add in your seafood and cook until done. In a separate pot, prepare your pasta or rice to serve as a side dish. Once all the seafood is cooked, place it on a large platter and serve hot with the pasta or rice.
Final Thoughts
La Vigilia is not just a dish, but a celebration of family, tradition, and the abundance of the sea. It is a perfect representation of the Italian culture and a must-try for anyone looking to add some Italian flavor to their Christmas feast. So gather your loved ones, put on some festive music, and enjoy this delicious and meaningful dish together. Buon Natale!
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