Il Pranzo di Ferragosto

August 15 is known as Ferragosto in Italy. This national holiday dates back to Roman times (18 CE) when the Emporer Ottaviano Augusto celebrated the harvests and the end of the main agricultural crop season.  Everyone was granted a holiday which were celebrated with vacations, food, and merrymaking.

Today that spirit is still deeply embedded into the Italian culture and even the most diligent workers manage to escape today.  Vacations, family meals, and picnics are the top priority of most Italians today and the pranzo or lunch of the Ferragosto is highly anticipated.  My Ferragosto menu includes Penne with Tomato Eggplant Sauce and Sicilian Citrus Infused Tuna Steaks with Braised Fennel.

The holidays are all about compromise, especially in multi cultural homes. This year, Ferragosto falls right in the middle of Ramadan (which I observe). Our pranzo will have to wait until sunset!