Italian Christmas Favorites

No Comments | Written on December 13, 2011 at 5:00 pm, by Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine

courtesy of Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine

Whether you’re Italian or not, you can be inspired by a classic Italian Christmas. (My favorite Italian hosts and cooks begin with delicious food and plenty of it!) Italian-inspired dishes on your holiday table create a sure-fire way to please all of your guests.

Start by making Italian-style, hassle-free nibbles for your Christmas party, choosing olives and cheeses, or antipasti that can be served at room temperature and prepared ahead of time. If you use recipes that include tomatoes or red peppers, the veggies add a festive touch. Garnish with fresh herbs such as basil, for a dynamic splash of green.

The Italian flag’s colors of red and green reflect Christmas, and your pasta dishes can sport Christmas colors as well. Substitute spinach pasta for the plain variety and top it off with your favorite marinara sauce. Nothing compares to a homemade sauce, and this recipe for marinara sauce is simple to make and full of tomato flavor.The sauce freezes well, so you can make twice the recipe and save some to have on hand for a quick meal later.

If you’re celebrating the “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” (an Italian American tradition on Christmas Eve, when at least seven seafood-based dishes are cooked), salt cod is usually on the menu. These flaky salt cod croquettes are a great choice served as an appetizer.

If you’re looking for a sweet ending to the meal, some of my favorite cookies are Italian ones, like these flourless Amaretti cookies. As I do with many of my holiday cookies, I’ll bake these in advance to save time. Served on red and green trays, they’re perfect for dunking in coffee as Christmas dinner is winding down. (Read our post on other top Italian cookies.)