One of the iconic elements of the feast of Sant’Agata–and lighter ones too–is the Minna di Sant’Agata (or Minna di Sant’Aita in Sicilian), or Saint Agatha’s Breast, a pastry that you’ll find this time of year made and eaten in honor of the saint. I ate this sweet ricotta-filled pastry covered with layers of marzipan…
Category: divine feminine
Agatha Prayed Louder
Christianity was illegal during Agata’s life in the early 3rd Century AD. So, when she refused the advances of the Roman prefect Quintianus, he arrested her and condemned her to a brothel as punishment. Having sworn herself to God, she protested participating in the activities of the brothel. As a result, Agata was thrown into…
Olivette Di Sant’Agata: Olive Marzipan for Saint Agatha
The Feast of Sant’Agata is upon us, and that means olivette di Sant’Agata (pictured) can be found throughout Catania, Sicily and beyond. Olivette are green colored marzipan “olives” that may have a bit of liquor in the mix and are coded in sugar. Why olives for Agata? Legend is that when the virgin was being…
Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Buon Natale! (Palermo, Church of the Immaculate Conception of il Capo Market)
Medusa And Women’s Power at The Met
Last evening at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, we discussed the mythology and iconography of Medusa with Danielle Oteri of Feast on History leading the way. Along with Tony Allicino, and an astute group of attendees, I enjoyed a fascinating discourse about this ancient art and what it told us of women’s…
Lucia Miraculously Delivered Sicily From The Famine
Viva Santa Lucia! Cuccìa, pictured, is a pudding made from wheat berries (or barley, spelt, or farro) prepared in honor of the Feast of Santa Lucia, December 13. Cuccìa became the traditional dish of the feast because during a famine in the 17th century, Siracusans prayed to Lucia, the patroness of wheat and grain, for…
Thank You To Cacio E Vino And All
Thank you to Cacio e Vino and everyone who came today to Celebrate La Festa di Santa Lucia! My heart is full of joy! Viva Santa Lucia! Save the dates for our San Giuseppe events: March 10 for ritual bread making and March 24 for the Feast at Cacio e Vino. Registration available in February.
Buona Madonna!
Buona Madonna! This is how my cousin Evelina in Sicily greeted me by text today. So, Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception or la Festa dell’Immacolata to you! Today’s feast recognizes that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin — something with which, in Catholic dogma, every person is considered…
Lucia Brought Light
The pure and beautiful Lucia was known to enter the dark catacombs of Siracusa, lighting her way with a torch in order to feed less fortunate, early Christians. It was the dawn of the 4th century, and practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled capital was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s patron saint, Sant’Agata, who…
Rice Balls, Glorious Rice Balls
Before I continue with the significance of the December 13 Feast for Santa Lucia, let’s talk about the really serious stuff! That is, that Palermitani celebrate the Saint by eating arancine. Arancine (as they are known in Palermo, pictured right; Arancini, if you’re from the east side of Sicily, pictured left), are rice balls filled…