One of my new favorite hidden corners of Sicily is Salemi in Trapani province. And in Salemi, one of the most fascinating off-the-beaten path things to do is visit the Museum of Ritual Bread. Gaspare Cammarata (pictured with me here) is the curator of this collection of bread loaves from all over Sicily that have been made by women and men as an act of prayer to their patron saints such as San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), San Biagio, and Saint Elizabeth, to name a few.
As a tribute to these practices, I’m very excited to be hosting two events in New York City that truly show Sicily’s profound culture and celebrate the vitality of life-giving bread. Please join me!
SAINT JOSEPH’S DAY HANDS-ON BREAD MAKING WORKSHOP
Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Cacio e Vino, 80 2nd Avenue, New York, NY
Cost: $25/person
Those who love making crafts and cooking will relish an afternoon of socializing and creating beauty with dough. Join us for ritual bread making for St. Joseph’s Day or La Festa di San Giuseppe, one of Sicily’s most important feasts.
During the family-friendly afternoon, you’ll learn about Sicily’s traditional St. Joseph’s Day altars and the folklore related to the feast. You’ll make your own bread loaves, like those pictured, and at the end of the session, you’ll bring home the loaves you made, which you are invited to bring back and display on the altar we’ll build for the feast celebration, also at Cacio e Vino, on Sunday, March 19.
The ticket cost pays for the supplies for making the bread loaves as well as snacks including fresh focaccia, salami, and cheese selections (all served family-style), a glass of wine, a cappuccino or espresso, and cookies.
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-josephs-day-hands-on-bread-making-workshop-tickets-32217017968
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CELEBRATE ST. JOSEPH’S DAY with a PRIX-FIXE LUNCH
Sunday, March 19, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Cacio e Vino, 80 2nd Avenue, New York, NY
Cost: $55/person
Join us to celebrate La Festa di San Giuseppe or Saint Joseph’s Day!
San Giuseppe, or Saint Joseph, is perhaps the most venerated saint south of Rome.
In the 10th century, a drought caused a severe famine. Devotees of Saint Joseph prayed to him to bring rain, and in return, they promised to hold a feast in his honor. Rain and recovery from hunger did come, and since then, the ritual-feast of Saint Joseph has been practiced.
The prix-fixe menu for the afternoon includes a full lunch of traditional Saint Joseph’s Day dishes, wine, soda, coffee, and tax and gratuities.
There will be a short concert of Sicilian folk songs presented by the duo Villa Palagonia and a discussion about Saint Joseph and feast traditions presented by Allison Scola of Experience Sicily.
GelsominoImports.com will have artisanal products from Sicily for sale.
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St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon Prix-fixe Menu
Appetizer
Maccu con Crostini e Salsiccia (Fava Beans with Sausage on Crostino Bread)
Rianata Pizza (Onions, Anchovy, Tomato, Caciocavallo Cheese, Breadcrumbs, and Oregano)
Salad
Pasta
Bucatini con Sarde
(Bucatini pasta with Fresh Sardines, Pine Nuts, Fennel, Raisins & Toasted Breadcrumbs)
Main Course
Involtini di Pollo alla Siciliana (Sicilian Style Rolled Chicken)
Salmone con Capperi, Pomodori e Olive Verdi (Salmon with Capers, Tomatoes & Green Olives)
Dessert
Sfingi di San Giuseppe con Ricotta e Vanilla Cream
To Drink
2 glasses of wine or soda and coffee
Tax & Gratuity are also included.
I will visit the museum next time in Sicily!
It’s extraordinary! Make an appointment to see it. Otherwise, it’s closed.
Thank you, will do.