Happy Holidays from Rome
A few recipes and a cocktail
I’ve always loved the holiday season, wherever I happen to be. There was a period when the girls were little when we always spent 2 weeks with family in and around New York. Then there was the period when the girls were a little older, and Nonna was older too, which we spent in Bari. These days, we tend to be in Rome for the month of December, and although I didn’t really need any convincing, I have definitely decided it’s my favorite time of the year here.
In comparison to the past few months in Rome (which have been filled with endless construction sites and hoards of tourists), December has turned out to be not only empty of tourists (to the point that most stores/restaurants/bars are complaining) but also most of the restorations going on around town have miraculously finished on schedule. Everything is looking especially shiny and bright.
I’ve been postponing my daily walks to the evenings to bask in the glow of the Christmas lights, which seem extra sparkly this year. I’ve made a point of trying to visit most of the Christmas trees up around town, but not sure I will make it to the one in front of St. Peters. This evening is the start of the Jubilee year (The pope opens the central door of St. Peters), and if predictions are true, the crowds will start up again.
So I’m sticking to my neighborhood, doing some last-minute shopping for our Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas lunch. Then it’s up to Umbria for New Year’s.
Since this is the last Newsletter of 2024, it’s going out to everyone because I wanted to make sure you all got a bit of end-of-the-year inspiration and cheer. Here are a few recipes/menus from years past, as well as a recipe for a drink that we will be drinking during the holidays. I want to call it a Manhattan, but it definitely skews sweeter. Still, it's not as sweet as an old fashioned. How does Maple Manhattan sound?
It’s probably too late to adopt any of these recipes for your Christmas meals. But if you’re like me, you’ll likely be staying home for New Year’s Eve, and any of these recipes or menus will suit just perfectly. (let me know what your NYE plans are in the comments below!)
And one more gift:
From now until December 31, I’m offering 15% off annual subscriptions to all readers of this newsletter. I’ve got lots of fun posts planned for 2025, including recipes, videos, and, as always, travel tips, suggestions, and tales. Just click below to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun. 🎉
Wishing you all a happy holiday! Thank you so much for your support over the years. Can’t wait to jump into 2025 with you!
x, Elizabeth
Meal Plan: Christmas Eve & Christmas
Once again December has flown by way too fast. There always seems to be at least one week missing from December which means I always have less time to do everything that needs doing. I’m happy to report that this year I actually have, miraculously, finished all of our shopping. Tick that off the list.
Fishy Feasts for Christmas Eve
For those of you getting ready to cook for the holidays, here is a bonus post to help you out.
The Italian Table Podcast: Tortellini
My mind is turning to tortellini these days, since that is what many Italians eat on Christmas. I hope you enjoy the podcast! And here are a few links to follow for recipes mentioned in the podcast.
MAPLE MANHATTAN
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz sweet red vermouth
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp Luxardo cherry syrup
1 Luxardo cherry
Cherry Bitters
Walnut Bitters
Pour the bourbon, vermouth, and syrups into a shaker. Add ice and stir for 30 seconds.
Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with cherry and top with a few dashes of bitters.
Cheers!!
Good
There is something so magical, almost whimsical about Rome during the winter holidays. Standing in the cobblestone canyons of the Eternal City's alleyways and via's, its hard not to get swept into the spirit of the city when you are surround by holiday lights that cast warm glows over the old, winding streets. Holiday shoppers running here and there, preparing themselves for the Christmas festivities and dinners, smile and belt out "Buon Natale!" to one another as they weave through the sea of locals and tourists. Crowds of people brave the chilly weather as they all bundle up and meander down Via Del Corso taking in the holiday spirit, enjoying the Roman Christmas fanfare and the street performers all singing various holiday tunes in a plethora of languages from all over the world. And then there are the Christmas Markets. Children and parents from nearly everywhere all flock to Piazza Navona, to take part in a holiday fanfare that needs to be experienced at least once in your life. Riding the carousel, enjoying the delicious food, sipping on the mulled wine and perusing through the trinkets on sale in the kiosks, all create an experience that simply cannot be duplicated anywhere else. Happy Holidays to all from Rome. Merry Christmas and Buon Natale!