In Siracusa, veneration of Santa Lucia may be found in many locales, for example at this grocery store that I frequented last February during an extended stay. I saw this tamburello (frame drum) with the patroness of light, eyes, and grain on it, and I lept for joy! I want one! Join me next Monday,…
Tag: feast of saint lucy
Celebrate Santa Lucia Online 2021
The Feast of Santa Lucia is on December 13, and that evening, I will host an online discussion and presentation about this highly venerated saint from Sicily. Join me to learn her story, traditions practiced for the feast, and why she carries eyes on a plate (?)! I will also be performing the beloved song…
Thank You Alessia! Viva Santa Lucia!
We had a wonderful online celebration for the Feast of Santa Lucia today! Thanks to Alessia Liistro of Smile and Food for teaching us your arancini and cuccìa recipes from your kitchen in Siracusa! Viva Santa Lucia patroness of light, eyes, wheat, grains, and the harvest!
Santa Lucia Answered Their Prayers
Today we’ll make rice balls and cuccìa at noon (eastern time) for Santa Lucia. Details at https://experiencesicily.com/santa-lucia-2020/ In the days leading up to the Feast of Santa Lucia, December 13, many Sicilians refrain from eating pasta and only eat un-ground wheat grain, or “farro,” that is prepared as a dish called cuccìa. Devotees observe this ritual…
They Stabbed Lucia With A Dagger
Please join Experience Sicily online to celebrate the Feast of Santa Lucia this Sunday, Dec. 13 at Noon Eastern. Reserve your spot at https://experiencesicily.com/santa-lucia-2020/ (Story continued from yesterday…) Like Sant’Agata of Catania before her, the maiden Lucia refused to participate in the activities of the brothel to which she was condemned. This of course, angered the…
Celebrate Santa Lucia Online With Us Sunday
Sunday, join us for Santa Lucia! At the dawn of the 4th century, practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled city of Siracusa was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s Patron Saint, Sant’Agata, who lived just a few decades before (from 231 AD – 251 AD), the young and beautiful Lucia devoted herself to the new…
Learn To Make Rice Balls For Santa Lucia
Let’s make arancini next Sunday for Santa Lucia! Although we can’t meet in person to celebrate la Festa di Santa Lucia this year, we can meet online! Together with my friend and colleague in Sicily, Alessia of Smile and Food, we’ll be teaching you how to make rice balls (Arancini) and cuccia (sweet farro traditionally…
When Without Wheat
Before I get to the serious significance of the December 13 Feast for Santa Lucia, let’s talk about the really serious stuff: that Palermitani celebrate the Saint by eating arancine. Arancine (as they are known in Palermo; Arancini, if you’re from the east side of Sicily), are rice balls filled with either a beef ragu…
Mother’s Grain
The Feast of Santa Lucia is celebrated on December 13, which until 1582 when the Gregorian calendar was instated, was the winter solstice. To celebrate the saint, who is the Christian translation of the Greek goddess Demeter, goddess of grain, agriculture, and fertility, Sicilians eat cuccìa, a pudding made of farro (barley), milk (in this…