Contents

1. A Popular Tuscan Winter Recipe: Pasta e Fagiole

2. December Festivals in Tuscany

Pasta e Fagiole

Here in Tuscany, the bean reigns supreme as our favorite legume. We eat them fresh, with salt and fine Pecorino, or cooked in the classic flask method. One of my family's most treasured recipes is this very easy version of Pasta e Fagiole , a thick soup rich with the taste of onion, garlic and tomato, all serving as a subtle backdrop for the hearty beans and macaroni. You can make this in less than half an hour, and your diners will think you've slaved over the stove all day. We hope you enjoy this as much as we do.

• 1 medium to large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 28 ounce can of plain tomato sauce
• 2 14.5 ounce cans of chicken broth or stock
• 1 14.5 to 20 ounce can of beans, preferably white or white and red Tuscan beans (we often use light red kidney beans when white aren't readily available)
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 ounces pasta (we prefer Ditalini), cooked al dente
• Extra Virgin Tuscan Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large heavy kettle or Dutch oven, sauté the onion in olive oil until nearly translucent. Add the minced garlic, and sauté for a few minutes more, until the garlic is tender. At this point, add both the tomato sauce and the chicken stock, and boil for about 10 minutes, or until the reduction process thickens the liquid. Add the bay leaf and the beans, and gently boil for about 5 more minutes. At this point, you may add the cooked pasta, and season with salt and pepper to taste. We usually serve this with a dash of our best olive oil poured on each serving, but my mother prefers hers with a bit of grated parmigiano or pecorino cheese. Either way, this delicious dish is sure to please.

December Festivals in Tuscany

As I mentioned in my greeting, we are in the midst of compiling a full year's calendar of festivals held throughout Tuscany, and this month, we give you a selection of unique and historic events held here in December. The specific dates sometimes change from year to year, so please check with local tourist offices before planning to visit.

Bagni di Lucca

Each December 8, this small town north of Lucca celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, or, Immocolata Concezione . This religious holiday, celebrating the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without Original Sin, is honored with a mass and other events.

Siena

The Festa di Santa Lucia is celebrated in the Chiesa di Santa Lucia with a mass, and a large Pottery Fair is held in the adjacent piazza and nearby streets. This event takes place on the 13th of December, and if you love Italian ceramics, this shouldn't be missed. The many stands sell a huge variety of terra cotta and pottery items.

Camporgiano, near Lucca

On Christmas Eve, December 24, a huge bonfire is lit to celebrate the holiday. There are also church services at the Church of San Giacomo, whose bell rings throughout the bonfire.

Prato

On Christmas Day, December 25, and on the following day, December 26, Prato celebrates with the Festa di Sacra Cintola , the celebration and display of the Holy Girdle, followed by the Festa di Santo Stefano , the Feast of Saint Stephen.

The Holy Girdle, or Sacra Cintola, is displayed in the Cathedral of Prato five times a year. The Christmas Day display by the Bishop is the most holy and sumptuous of these occasions. The Sacra Cinta itself is the belt the Blessed Virgin gave to St. Thomas at the Assumption. It is kept in a jeweled case, and displayed to worshippers on Christmas, Easter, May 1, August 15, and September 8. These displays are accompanied by much pomp, with musicians and other marchers parading in Renaissance garb.

Firenze

A variety of cultural and sporting events are held in Florence in late November and early December; dates vary, so please be sure to check. The Florence Marathon is held at this time each year, and the Winter Dance Festival, held at the Teatro Goldoni, features a contemporary and innovative series of dance performances.

Each year on Christmas Eve, the Orchestra Regionale Toscana presents a Christmas concert at the Teatro Verdi. This is a popular event, so be sure to reserve early if you would like to attend.

Midnight Mass is celebrated in the Duomo on Christmas Eve, and it is a beautiful and moving event.

Abbadia di San Salvatore, near Montalcino

The Fiaccole di Natale , or Feast of the Christmas Torches, is celebrated on the night of December 24. This torch light parade is held to honor the shepherds who attended the first Nativity. Be sure to see our next newsletter for a more in-depth look at the town and its traditional, ancient festa.

Barga, north of Lucca

Usually held on the 23rd of December, Barga's annual Christmas pageant features local citizens portraying the Holy Family, the Three Kings, and Shepherds, all in ancient costume. They lead a procession through the streets, ending at the Duomo.