Panettone: An Italian Christmas Tradition

Si vive per mangiare, non si mangia per vivere!  (Live to eat, don’t eat to live!)

I have very fond memories of my childhood spent in Italy.  Some of the ones I hold closest to my heart are those spent around meals, during which my uncle would repeat this well-known Italian mantra as he sat my cousins and me down for daily feasts around the dinner table.  Even at a young age, I understood that food was a big part of our family’s life – gathering in the kitchen to help with food preparation, sitting down all together to enjoy convivial, three-, sometimes four-course meals together, not rushing through conversations – all contributed to the beauty and tradition of food.

Food is a big huge part of life in Italy, and during the holidays this could not be truer.  The traditions surrounding food are many, and in my eyes – perhaps those still of a little girl growing up in Italy – one of the most glorious is that of eating panettone on Christmas morning (and at midday, as an afternoon snack, pre-dinner, dessert…you get the idea!).

Panettone, known in America as the Italian Raisin Cake, is a sweet Italian Christmas cake that dates back to the 15^th century.  Light and fluffy, studded with raisins and candied oranges, and topped with a light coating of confectioner’s sugar, panettone is an anticipated Christmas tradition to many family tables throughout Italy.  When I was a little girl, the arrival of the panettone not only symbolized total and complete yumminess, but also family togetherness, love, and happiness.  For many families like mine, the delight of gathering around a bountiful, beautifully laid table, topped with the shiny panettone box brought an extra special spark to the holidays.

I am so happy that we can easily find panettone in Knoxville stores.  I love the idea of sharing this delicious tradition with my children and watching them bite into a sweet slice of panettone on Christmas morning.  If you’re feeling brave and want to make your own panettone (it’s a fairly laborious process), here’s a great Italian panettone recipe.  Or, if you’re like me and rather spend your time gobbling it up, make your way to Trader Joe’s or Costco (or other local stores) and pick one up!

What are your family’s food traditions?  We’d love to hear about them!