The Feasts Of Ferragosto

Today is a holiday throughout Europe,the Ferragosto ,Mostly Italy, Greece and Spain celebrate The Aussumption when the Virgin Mary ascends into heaven.The Italians are the ones who enthusiastically observe the day with masses and, of course, food.The summer holy day is also a culinary holiday, celebrating the best of the harvest of estate, or summer. Both the north and south of the Republic have different dishes.The North offers the truly tasty Vitello tonnato, veal in tuna sauce.This is boned veal that has been marinated in wine overnight and finished with a tuna and anchovy sauce.Some enjoy grilled steak accompanied with pasta and a simple pesto sauce.Cranberry beans ,a pink and white striped bean is also served ,usually in a form of salad.A kind of ratatouille is served.This is a delicious blend of garden fresh onions, eggplant and tomatoes.Potatoes are also added.Parmesan cheese mixed with egg is then added to it to give it body.Another tasty treat that's a great beach snack is stuffed tomatoes.The filling is arborio rice mixed with basil and oregano.Potato wedges are also baked with them, a kind of French fry accompanyer .To end the meal is watermelon or cocomero.Families enjoy chilled slices, perfect foils to the salads and meat dishes.The melon can also be turned into refreshing ice as well or part of a fruit salad too. The Greeks also celebrate the day or as they call it Assumption Day.Every section has a different way of observing the day.The mainland has potatoes, beef stew and potatoes while the islands such as Karpathos ,one of the Dodecanese has seafood feasts..The island of Syros makes a special fish soup known as kakavia.This is a kind of bouillabaisse .Lobster, hake, along with smaller fish is cooked with tomato, olive oil, water and eggplant.along with the staple of Hellenic soups, lemons.Spain also celebrates, usually with families and friends visiting each other.Restaurants and even stores are closed so it's a homemade and home cooked.Grilled sardines are served at many cookouts along with various salads and wines.Some towns celebrate Noche de Vino or Night of Wine The Assumption may be a holy day but it is also a day of celebration and good summer dishes.The day is a great time to enjoy the fruits of the summer harvest with delicious food and drink.It is not only a religious holiday but a culinary one as well.