Someone asked, “What are your Thanksgiving traditions?”, so I’ll ask you.  I had to laugh because here is the answer.  Is yours similar?

An Italian family Thanksgiving pretty much goes like this; it starts with a big spread of antipasto, salami, prosciutto, lots of cheese, and marinated veggies, olives, some dips, etc.

Then you take a little break, watch some football, shoot the sh*t around the table, and drink some wine. Next up, is some kind of macaroni/pasta , meatballs, sausage, salad, wine.

You would think that was enough BUT…out comes the traditional American meal complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, escarole sauteed in garlic. Then everyone unbuttons their pants.

Kids are pretty much falling asleep because you let them drink wine. Then ALL the men would leave the table for the chicks to clean up, make the coffee and get dessert ready.

Dessert is pumpkin pie, ricotta cheese cake, apple pie, cannoli from Isgros, a pound cake, a big-ass bowl of nuts, a cookie tray someone made, tons of Bella’s Biscotti, butter cookies, chocolates galore and some cordials.

Next comes your older Italian relatives telling stories of the horrifying way someone back in 1942 screwed the family over. Everyone laughs, hugs and kisses and says goodbye till next time. All the while feeling sorry for their non-Italian friends who only have turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans and a pie. So I’m thankful for being a Sicilian-American with a holiday focused on all this food!

Ciao, Bella!
www.bellasbiscotti.com