What will we do this year for the New Year's Eve dinner? Before starting any project it is useful to keep in mind the rules that we will be forced to observe in order to comply with the provisions of the dpcm concerning the limitations in this period of holidays. After Christmas, which we necessarily had to live in the close, indeed very close family dimension (but perhaps we have gained something in intimacy and spirituality) we are preparing to live a more exquisitely profane party. New Year's Eve is coming, what can we and can't we do? Based on the provisions of the government decree, theItaly enters the red zone again from December 31st to January 3rd. Therefore it is not possible to move between regions and municipalities except for work, health or special needs reasons with self-certification. On the 31st you can go and visit (maximum two) friends or relatives from 5 to 22. You can stop and sleep. No second homes outside the region, closed shops and shopping centers.
On New Year's Eve, and here we enter the heart of the discussion, there will be a curfew from 22pm to 7am. If we really want or are forced to wait for the arrival of the new year in the hotel, we will have to settle for room service. At home instead, but we will be very few and intimate, we will have two choices. Take Away menus - and many companies are working hard to do so - they are doing great this year, no need to ask why. Indeed, it is the big news of these holidays. But we can also take into account to spend a few hours in the kitchen to invent a New Year's Eve dinner, respecting the bon ton for this domestic gala dinner imposed by the Coronavirus.
Red like purple, a symbol of good omen already in Imperial Rome
First of all, why is it New Year's Eve? The festival has ancient and pagan origins, linked to rural rites and the spring equinox. Passing through the Julian calendar of the ancient Romans (46 BC) and that of Pope Gregory XIII (1532) we arrive at the New Year as we know it. New Year's symbols also have their own meaning. The Red, for example, it was considered auspicious in the days of Imperial Rome. Passion, courage, power and fertility were represented precisely by the purple that was worn by the women of the time during the ceremonies for the transition to the new year. And the custom of throw out the old stuff from the balconies? Another propitiatory rite.
Like the one of open the windows to let out the troubles of the year which is about to close. A suggestion to keep in mind particularly this year which has brought many troubles and also because the rooms will have to be ventilated often…. To combine business with pleasure. THE fireworks, another great must of the period, would have the task of chasing away evil spirits, this year we particularly need them. Let's not forget the mistletoe which, according to ancient Celtic beliefs, represents a great symbol of positivity and good luck. It must be placed on the doorstep because it chases away demons, ghosts and evil spirits.
Now we sit down at the table. In any case, listing a thousand and one menus for the New Year's Eve dinner would not be enough to tell what Italians love to have on their plate on New Year's Eve. Here too, according to family traditions and geographical areas, you can switch from strictly lean and fish-based menus to others that consider meat dishes to be inevitable for the evening of December 31st. Also inevitable lentils, because? It seems that the ancient Romans gave away a leather bag, to hang from the waist, full of lentils with the hope that these would become money, also because their shape is very reminiscent of that of coins.
On the New Year's table not only cotechino and lentils, also dried fruit, pomegranate and a bunch of grapes
Dried Fruit at will, why? It is always the ancient Romans who teach us that raisins, almonds, dried figs they are auspicious symbols. It also brings luck to have on the New Year's table a bunch of grapes. The Spanish tradition has it that, at the stroke of midnight, a grain is eaten for each of the 12 strokes of the clock in Madrid's Puerta del Sol. There pomegranate, with its ruby-colored grains, not only gives us the typical red color of the New Year but is also a symbol of fertility and wealth. So for the ancient Romans that we continue to bother. But also for the Jewish tradition that celebrates its New Year, Rosh Hashanah, in the month of September. For Jewish culture, the pomegranate represents the new fruit. Its seeds symbolize the many merits that it is hoped to accomplish in the coming year.
Cotechino and zampone they are made with pork. And the pig does well, even more so on New Year's Eve, because it is a "rich" animal. In peasant civilization it is a symbol of great abundance. The pig - whoever raises these animals knows it well - really everything is used. And then many vegetables, typical of the winter season. They are never lacking in New Year's dishes. Perhaps they do not have great symbolic meanings but they are certainly indispensable to accompany the dishes of the evening. Finally the desserts: first of all nougat, pandoro and panettone.
In Campania, the struffoli, a triumph of balls of sweet dough, fried and dipped in honey. Their origin goes back even to the ancient Greeks. In Umbria the Umbrian torciglione it has the shape of a coiled snake, a traditional cake, naturally well-wishing, which seems to date back to the Middle Ages. All these sweets must necessarily be watered with a cascade of bubbles, dal Italian Prosecco and Spumante with French Champagne. They are indispensable for midnight cheers. Prosit and happy new year to all, it is really better than the one just ended!
