In Italy, All Saints' Day is celebrated on November 1. Writings traced back to 609AD are some of the earliest to mention All Saints' Day. Today, in Italy November 1 is a festive day. Italian families will typically visit their local parish for mass. And of course after mass they'll celebrate with a nice long lunch among family and friends. This celebration is known as La Festa di Ognissanti, and it is a feast to celebrate all of the saints of the Catholic calendar. In fact, it is even a public holiday – schools are closed, businesses are shuttered for the feast. Typically, the feast is bsed on regional specialities and what is in season, hence pumpkin, chestnuts will be very popular. Some of the best-known recipes, include
Chickpea and pumpkin soup; Canavese soup; Bagna cauda; Chestnut risotto; Salted meat; Savoy cabbage with walnuts; and for desssert Ossa dei morti (Bones of the dead) Bisquits and the delicious breadcake Pan de mei.
Ossa dei Morti Bisquits
These typical All Saints’ Day cookies are made by grinding 9 ounces of toasted almonds with 3/4 cup of sugar. This is mixed with an egg white beaten until stiff, adding 1 cup of flour and spices like vanilla and ground cloves. The cookies are shaped like bones and then baked. They should be enjoyed with Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine.
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