ITALY
Melanie Sawyer / A3 Mrs. Crossley
Main agricultural products grown/harvested.
*Tomotoes
* Rice
* Peppers
Holiday Celebrations
Epiphany:
The celebration of Epiphany is largely a children's holiday in Italy (January 6), it commemorates the end of the Christmas holidays, children are told that they will receive candy if they behave well and pebbles, charcoal, or ashes if they do not. On Epiphany, parents often take their children to piazzas to buy candy and small gifts from the Christmas markets, where they watch jugglers and magicians perform.
Easter:
On Easter Sunday, many families eat chocolate for breakfast and attend a local Easter mass, families also have a large meal together, usually including lamb and artichokes.
La Pasquetta (Little Easter), also known as Easter Monday, is celebrated the day after Easter. Traditionally, families and friends celebrate this holiday by picnicking together in the countryside and eating Easter leftovers. People often take the entire Easter weekend off to stay in the countryside.
Christmas:
On Christmas Eve, children receive and open their presents. Italian families eat a traditional fish dinner and go to church for Midnight Mass. Christmas Day is celebrated with a large meal, and families spend time together playing games, watching TV, and going for walks. Panettone, a sweet bread, is one of the most famous traditional Christmas foods
Native customs and Beliefs
Italians usually eat in the continental style, with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. Hands are kept above the table; placing them in the lap is improper. When finished eating, a person places the utensils parallel on the plate. One does not leave the table until everyone has finished.
- When eating with guests, Italians usually do not hurry; a meal may last one to four hours
- Dinner conversation often includes soccer, politics, family matters, business, and local events