Chiacchiere di Carnevale, pictured, are a crunchy, sweet, fried dough garnished with powdered sugar. Leading up to Martedì Grasso or Fat Tuesday, the height of Carnevale, one will find these all over Sicily. The label “chiacchiere” originates from Naples, where this fried mixture of flour, eggs, butter, and some kind of sweet wine reached high…
Tag: carnevale
From Bawdy To Fancy: Chiacchiere Di Carnevale
Similar to the fried dough Americans consume at Italian-American street festivals, chiacchiere di Carnevale, pictured, are a crunchy, sweet, fried dough garnished with powdered sugar.
Topsy-turvy Carnevale In Acireale, Sicily
Normally, this weekend would be the height of Carnevale in Acireale, Sicily. Carnevale or Carnival is the period leading up to Ash Wednesday and Lent. In pre-Christian times, this outdoor, spring festival, which took place before the arduous planting season, turned everything topsy-turvy: Masters would become the servents and servents the masters. Revelers would hide…
Thanks To Two Chefs From Sicily And You
Thank you to everyone who attended Tuesday’s Carnevale with Two Chefs From Sicily at Cacio e Vino! Most importantly, I extend my sincere thanks to Chef Nino Elia., Valeria Signorino, and Chef Giuseppe Sciurca for all of their hard work to make this special event delicious and to Giusto Priola and the staff at Cacio…
Masques For Carnevale In Sicily
Buon Martedì Grasso! Happy Fat Tuesday! Today marks the final day and pinnacle of Carnevale, a topsy-turvy, days-long party of letting go, hidden identity, and mischief that has been celebrated since ancient times. Today’s Carnevale is observed similarly to our American Halloween–children dress in costumes that they plan for weeks and adults attend parties during…
Fat Tuesday In New York City
We’re ready for Carnevale! Join Experience Sicily in New York City on FAT TUESDAY, February 25 at 7pm for Two Chefs from Sicily, a prix-fixe traditional Carnival Sicilian menu at Cacio e Vino! Chef Nino Elia., Chef Giuseppe Sciurca, with assistance from Valeria Signorino will be cooking up a party for you Reserve your spot…
Topsy-turvy Carnevale in Sicily
Today is the final day of Carnevale! My cousin Francesca was in Sciacca this past weekend and took this photo. Sciacca boasts one of the leading celebrations in Sicily and Italy. Locals will tell you it’s been presented for centuries. Carnevale is the last hurrah before the planting season and before Lent, when many traditionally…
Chatting It Up For Carnevale In Sicily
Because the festivities take place on the streets, hand-held sweets are in order for Carnevale. In Sicily that means chiacchiere di Carnevale, pictured. Chiacchiere are a crunchy, sweet, fried dough powdered with sugar. Eat up! Because next Tuesday, or Martedì Grasso, is your last chance to eat these “Chatter,” as they would be translated as,…
Carnevale in Sicily Is Underway
Carnevale is underway in Italy, and in Sicily that means the towns of Acireale and Sciacca are throwing big parties. The main festivities are this coming weekend, leading up to next Tuesday’s finale. This photo is from 2017, when I was fortunate enough to be dancing in the streets with all of the other revelers….
Carnevale, Valentine’s Day, Mythology, and Love in Sicily
Love is in the air! Today is Martedì Grasso–Fat Tuesday–the final day of Carnevale! It’s also the day before St. Valentine’s Day… mmm… considering the ancient practices of Carnevale, could it be related to how we interpret Valentine’s Day today? I’m not really sure, but I’ll venture to guess there is a relationship between the…