December 13th is celebrated as Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy). This day, also known as the Feast of Saint Lucy, is a Christian feast day dedicated to Lucia of Syracuse.In Italy, the Feast of Saint Lucia is a highly celebrated holiday, with various regions showcasing their unique culinary traditions. For instance, Bologna hosts a prestigious fair that attracts tourists from far and wide. In Bergamo, children receive gifts accompanied by wish letters placed in front of the statue of the saint in her namesake church. In some areas of central and northern Italy, Saint Lucia is the one who brings gifts to children, instead of Santa Claus. However, the celebration is most profoundly felt in Sicily, where Saint Lucia is the patron saint.
According to tradition, people refrain from eating bread or pasta on this day. In Syracuse and Palermo, special dishes are prepared for the occasion, such as the famous arancine (or arancini) and cuccìa, a typical Sicilian dessert made with ricotta or chocolate. In fact, many refer to it as ‘Santa Arancina’ day. The city comes alive with arancini, as every bar, bakery, and family kitchen churns out thousands of these delicious fried rice balls. You'll find classic flavours like carne (meat ragù) and burro (ham and mozzarella), along with numerous creative variations.
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