How to Celebrate Christmas the Italian Way 🇮🇹🎄

In Italy, Christmas is a time deeply rooted in family traditions and, most importantly, food!  

In this post, we’ll dive into the magical world of Christmas cuisine, Italian-style. Whether you find yourself in northwest London or further afield, we'll transport the flavours of Italy right to your doorstep. 

One of the best things about Italian Christmas is the sheer amount of holiday treats that you’ll see everywhere from the pastry shop to your auntie’s house. Traditional sweets, such as, struffoli, small honey-drenched dough balls, and torrone, a chewy nougat made with honey and nuts, make appearances on dessert tables across Italy. Often, you’ll see them paired with Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine which you can try at Terra Terra, which is sometimes enjoyed alongside cantucci, almond biscuits perfect for dunking. Of course, the festivities wouldn’t be complete (and they certainly wouldn’t be Italian) without many toasts to joy and prosperity. Let the Prosecco and Spumante flow!  

Consider incorporating some of these beloved Italian dishes into your holiday menu this year or come try them at Terra Terra, right in the heart of northwest London! We are offering an exclusive six-course tasting menu serving up some of our favourite modern Italian takes on holiday foods. Pre-book your spot by clicking the link here.  

The festivities begin on Christmas Eve, known as La Vigilia. Traditionally, Italians avoid meat and opt for a fish-based meal on 24.12. Of course, each family has its own traditions and recipes.  

Generally, on Christmas Eve, it is common to see a starter spread of marinated anchovies, shrimp, or baccala (salted cod). For the “primo”, which translates directly to “first” but more accurately represents the pasta or rice course, many families will have some variation of pasta with seafood, such as be spaghetti con le vongole, or other meat-free classics like ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta. For the “secondo”, the “second” or meat course, you might have a whole roasted branzino with roast potatoes or a lovely octopus dish.  

Midnight Mass, known as La Messa di Natale, marks the start of Christmas Day. Traditionally, families gather for dinner on la Vigilia and make their way to the Midnight Mass together.  

After presents have been opened and gifts exchanged, families will get together for a sweet breakfast of caffe, coffee, and panettone, a traditional Italian fruit cake from the North of Italy. Italians advise to keep breakfast light to save room for the feast ahead.  

On Christmas day, families will start with an enormous antipasto or starter course. This will include everything from Italian charcuterie (prosciutto, salame, mortadella, speck, you name it), pâtés, pickled and preserved vegetables, several different kinds of bread, various kinds of salads (a popular choice is the “insalata russia” which translates to Russian salad, which is a mayonnaise based salad of carrots, peas, and onions), more cheeses than you can name, savoury pastry bites, focaccia, and more. It is very difficult to exercise self-control at this stage of the meal but the goodies to come will prove it is worth the wait.  

For the primo, families will often have a baked pasta of some kind, such as lasagna or cannelloni, or a stuffed pasta. In the North-eastern region of Emilia Romagna, families gather over a steaming hot bowl of tortellini in brodo, a meat-stuffed pasta in a savoury beef broth. Whoever gets the tortellini that has been duplicitously stuffed with peppercorns instead of veal and pork is destined for good luck in the coming year.  

By the time the secondo has arrived, you might already be full, but Christmas is not for quitters. The meat course will almost certainly include some kind of roast meat, like a braised beef with wine or a slow-cooked lamb. More traditional families will have a game bird filled with a flavourful pork and herb stuffing. Of course, you can’t forget the sides of crispy roast potatoes, spinach, roast carrots, and more.  

Dessert is almost always more panettone or panettone’s sleek cousin, pandoro. Pandoro is very similar to panettone, but it omits the dried fruit (perfect for picky eaters!). Served with a few pieces of fruit, cheese, and a coffee, it’s the perfect way to end your Italian Christmas meal.  

You’re now ready to host like an Italian this year!  

​​Whether you're reminiscing about an Italian Christmas past or creating new traditions in London, let the spirit of Italy fill your home with laughter, good food, and cherished moments this holiday season. Buon Natale e Buone Feste! 🎄🇮🇹✨