Christmas is a unique event: millions of people wait for this day of the year to get together with their loved ones and celebrate this occasion. Between food, traditions and several customs , 25th Dicember is much more than a religious holiday : it represents the family and the joy in the meeting. In Sicily, the land of millenary traditions, this Christmas holiday is surrounded by many rituals and typical dishes that emphasize the sicilian popular culture. Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to fully enjoy these holidays, but we will surely find alternative ways to celebrate this day... as only we Sicilians know how to do! Now, let's cheer up a bit and take a look at the most popular Christmas traditions in this island...

Sicily at Christmas: the most popular Christmas traditions in this Island

When we hear the word "Sicily", we inevitably think about food: in fact, Sicilian culinary tradition has ancient and multi-entity origins that make it unique in the world. Moreover, another peculiarity concerns the fact that our food culture is linked to the concepts of sharing and hospitality: endless banquets in the family and special dishes to welcome guests are the basis of our good manners. During the holidays, these customs become extreme and manifest themselves in all their beauty and uniqueness. But, what are the dishes that just can not miss on the table on Christmas Day? There is no single answer: Sicily is rich in different facets that change from province to province.

In the area of Catania, for example, it is not possible to renounce to "scacciata", also known in the area of Ragusa as "scaccia". In both cases this dish is a dough made of durum wheat flour, stuffed mainly with cauliflowers, tuma, potatoes, olives, sausage, to which it is possible to add other ingredients at pleasure. In the area of Messina, the board of cold cuts (enriched, in the area of Nebrodi, by the particular cold cuts of black pork) and cheeses is a must not to be renounced, together with the tasty fried codfish. Instead, in Agrigento you cannot do without the famous "pasta 'ncasciata", a baked pasta rich in ingredients such as meat sauce, eggs, eggplants, ham, mortadella and many more. Finally,In Palermo, finally, reigns supreme the "sfincione", a sort of focaccia with breadcrumbs, breadcrumbs, onion and caciocavallo cheese. Another unmissable dish of Palermo is the ”anelletti al forno” (particolar type of pasta in the shape of a ring cooked in the oven). And even if every city has its particularities, there are also shared Sicilian Christmas traditions: examples are falsomagro, roast meat and the famous basket of dried fruit to be munched in company during the evenings spent playing cards and tombola.

Desserts are the real protagonists

And after lunch and dinner? Obviously, there are the desserts! Soft an crunchy Nougat, Sicilian cassata and buccellato ( a short pastry doughnut filled with chocolate and dried figs), but it does not end here. Other typical desserts are Nucatoli, (cookies with almonds, bitter cocoa, cinnamon and lemon decorated at the end with white or colored icing) and mostaccioli (cookies with orange peel and honey).

Traditions in company

Games

Among the most awaited Sicilian Christmas traditions there are the classic evening games with friends and family members: tables of people having fun with an endless choice of games.Sicilian playing cards, in fact, are the eternal protagonists of these playful evenings: the favorite games are Sette e Mezzo, Cucù, Tivitti, Mercante in Fiera, Teresina and Zicchinedda. Sicilians, however, are also seduced by the charm of tombola and bingo, very popular especially among people over 40.

Celebrations in Squares

Besides the evenings at home, in Sicily people have fun also in the squares and in the streets that, in this period of the year, are enriched by wonderful and elaborated illuminations. In some cities of the island are organized real shows, such as "Lo Zucco" (U Zuccu): Lo Zucco is a huge bonfire on Christmas Eve.This tradition is surely the result of a mix between Christian and pagan traditions and it is based on the purifying value that ancient religions gave to fire. In Christian symbolism, fire is light capable of triumphing over darkness: for this reason, it is lit on a festive day. In fact, similar traditions are also found on the occasion of other festivities, such as the famous "Vampate di San Giuseppe" in the Palermo area.

Small Markets and Fairs

What is missing in the Sicilian Christmas traditions? . Obviously the nice Christmas markets!What contributes to create the Christmas atmosphere in every village and hamlet is surely the setting up of stands in which local artisans and producers put on display typical local products and objects such as ceramics, jewels and various furnishings.

Live Nativity Scenes

In various Sicilian localities, finally, it is possible to admire the unique living works of art that are perfect representations of the crib with attention to the smallest details. The most famous living nativity scenes of the island are: the oldest of all, in Custonaci (in the province of Trapani), the wonderful nativity scene of Castanea delle Furie (in the province of Messina), the live nativity scene of Cava d'Ispica and Giarratana (both in the province of Ragusa), inGangi (in the province of Palermo) and Caltagirone (in the province of Catania).

Religious songs

Finally, it is impossible not to mention the classic tradition of religious songs: from November 29 begins the Novena of the Immaculate Conception which goes on until January 6, day of Epiphany. During this period, the streets of small Sicilian towns take place processions, with bands, which make the neighbourhood resound with traditional songs and typical sounds such as those of bagpipes and accordion.

Sicily at Christmas: can't experience it on site? Then bring it to your home!

It doesn't matter where we are or where we are going: we Sicilians have and will always have Sicily in our hearts. Unfortunately, his year many will be unable to return to this magnificent land to spend the holidays in the company of their loved ones.If you are reading this and you find yourself in this sad situation, we have a solution for you: subscribe to our Newsletter you will receive a 10% discount to get a personalized basket of Sicilian products at your home! What are you waiting for? You can still feel at home!