A FAVOURITE FOOD FOR A FAVOURITE SAINT

Our estate di San Martino (Saint Martin's summer) has been well and truly over since Sunday and I sit here writing this on a cold, rainy afternoon. A prolonged summer is named for the saint because, according to legend, in the winter of the year 335 St Martin of Tours met a freezing, starving beggar at the gates of Amiens. He cut his cloak in two and gave half to the man and, coming across another man in a similar condition moments later, gave the other half to him. It is said that the sun came out when he gave away the second half of the cloak - hence l'estate di San Martino.

Frittelle (deep-fried pastries or doughnuts)) are traditional on St Martin's Day (11th November) not only because they are small and symbolise pieces of the cloak, but also because they contain few ingredients and centuries ago could be made by rich and poor alike. They can be fried using the new oil from the olive harvest and are often served with the vino novello which is traditionally opened on this day.

St Martin is associated with the poor and is the protector of soldiers, innkeepers, hoteliers and beggars. He died in Candes, now Candes-Saint-Martin, in 397. He is one of my favourite saints so I really wanted to find some frittelle yesterday and I did, in my local fruit shop. 

LE FRITTELLE DI SAN MARTINO

When you have forgotten it is your favourite saint's feast day, walk into a bar and are offered a frittella in his honour, you remember why you love living in Sicily.

Frittelle are traditional for San Martino di Tours because in times gone by they could be made by rich and poor alike: They contain few ingredients, can be fried using the new oil of the season and also go very well with the vino novello which is opened on this day! In this post from 2007 I included some photos of frittelle being prepared.

According to legend, in the fourth century San Martino met a starving, freezing beggar at the gates of the city of Amiens. He cut his cloak in two with his sword and gave half to the man. For this reason, San Martino is a saint associated with the poor. It is also said that the sun came out at the very moment he tore his cloak and that is why an Indian summer here is known as an estate di san Martino.

San Martino is the protector of soldiers, innkeepers, hoteliers and beggars. He died in Candes, now Candes-Saint-Martin, in 397.

FRITTELLE

Frittelle prepared for I Morti - the Day of the Dead.

TWO FEASTS AND A GIFT

Last night in Modica there was a very special party for a very special lady, as my dear friend Linda celebrated a significant birthday. Without further ado, I am going to show you the wonderful, international feast that she and Chiara had prepared for family and friends:

Yes, that's good old British pickle on the left there!



Amazingly light cheesecakes above.

All cakes were lovingly made by Chiara. Mamma mia, what a lot of work!

Tanti, tanti auguri di nuovo, Linda!

So there I am this morning, thinking I mustn't eat again for a whole week after that lot, when my friends Marco and Giovanna phone and invite me to lunch!

First there is homemade pasta cooked with the pumpkin flesh and fresh ricotta.

Then there is orange salad

which is served with cotolette di pollo:



For dessert, Giovanna has made frittelle di San Martino:

Introducing Marley, the five-month-old labrador who has turned the family's life upside-down in the nicest possible way. Just look at those eyes!

Benvenuto sul mio blog, Marley!

And tonight Lucia brought me a present of......frittelle!



Grazie, Lucia!