Christmas at the table with tradition

The number one traditional dish for Christmas in Emilia Romagna is without a doubt tortellini or stuffed pasta in broth; the most famous ones are made using the Bologna tortellini recipe, but there are other, equally as tasty versions, such as Reggio Emilia or Romagna stuffed pasta.

As a second course, boiled meat is usually served along with a lot of sauces, such as Salsa verde from the lowlands around Reggio Emilia or one made of eggplants, a traditional recipe from Ravenna, or the very fancy Salsa antica, a traditional Modena peasant recipe, or Grandma's boiled meat sauce, a Parma recipe, while those with a sweet tooth can always chose sweet marmalade.

And then there's the legendary "Panettone" Christmas cake!

Here is a version from Modena of Christmas Cake: it comes out a lovely golden brown color and should be served in small rectangles not much bigger than a biscuit. It can be eaten alone, or better yet, with typical local amaretti biscuits or sponge cake squares covered with vanilla-flavoured powdered sugar.

But the Christmas desserts do not stop here. Among our traditional recipes, there is also Grandma Albertina's Christmas Cake, a Bologna Christmas sweet, or the Christmas "Tortelli", baked or fried, a typical dessert from Modena and Reggio Emilia filled with cream or jam, or with Christmas pesto.

And, ending the Christmas lunch on a happy note, a sip of Egg nog made with a Ravenna recipe and served at important events such as Christmas or New Year's in little glasses.