La Befana or the “Italian Witch” as she is sometimes called, originated in pre-Christian Rome, when images of the witch and the broom were very important. The good witch would sweep away all of the problems from the old year with her broom.
To this day, my Roman friends and I give each other little decorated brooms at Christmas time. Some of the brooms can be beautiful and ornate the way American wreaths are. In Italy, the idea of gift exchanging for holidays itself dates back to ancient Rome when New Year’s gifts were presented to the gods and goddesses of strength.
When Christmas began to be celebrated in Italy, the witch’s lore was mixed with that of
Epiphany (which is pronounced eh pi fa nia in Italian) and with the “p” like a “b” in Roman dialect. This is where the witch got her name. Legend has it that
La Befana (who had the reputation of having an immaculate home) spent her life searching for Christ and is still searching for him today. Each year, on January 6, she visits the homes of all children (like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve) and leaves them candy and sweets if they’re good or coal if they are bad. Italian confectioners sell rock candy shaped like coal at Christmas for this reason.
Today La Befana is celebrated yearly in Piazza Navona in Rome and in many other Italian cities during December all the way up until Epiphany. It’s like a winter version of a state fair in a piazza with roasting chestnuts, candies, mimes, children’s games, inexpensive gifts, etc. While I lived in Rome this was a great time when everyone (who had stopped the evening stroll due to cold weather) to get back out in onto the streets. We would always run into friends – and it was a time when old and young could celebrate together.
Here’s a song about La Befana:
La Befana vien di notte
Con le scarpe tutte rotte
Col vestito alla romana
Viva, Viva La Befana!
The English translation is:
La Befana comes at night
With old and torn shoes
She comes dressed Roman style
Long live the Befana!
Celebrate la Befana with one of my favorite Roman appetizers:
Bruschetta di Carciofi/Artichoke Bruschetta
The topping is an artichoke puree which I used to enjoy will living in Rome. It was a typical antipasto served at one of my favorite pizzerias. Luckily, it healthy, and easy to make.Use the best quality olive oil possible.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf crusty, day -old Italian bread
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup romano cheese
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
Preparation:
- With a large serrated knife, slice the bread into 1/4- inch slices on the diagonal.
- Lay the bread slices evenly on cookie sheets.Brush both sides with extra-virgin olive oil.
- To make the puree:Place the artichokes, olive oil, lemon juice, cheese, salt, and pepper into the food processor and process until a smooth puree is formed (less than 1 minute).
- Taste the purees. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.Set aside.Place the bread under the broiler. Toast for 3-5 minutes until golden.Remove from the oven.
- Turn bread over.Return to broiler and toast for another 3 minutes, or until golden on the other side.
- Remove from the oven.Slather a thick layer of puree on each slice of bread. Serve warm.
La Befana or the “Italian Witch” as she is sometimes called, originated in pre-Christian Rome, when images of the witch and the broom were very important. The good witch would sweep away all of the problems from the old year with her broom.
To this day, my Roman friends and I give each other little decorated brooms at Christmas time. Some of the brooms can be beautiful and ornate the way American wreaths are. In Italy, the idea of gift exchanging for holidays itself dates back to ancient Rome when New Year’s gifts were presented to the gods and goddesses of strength.
When Christmas began to be celebrated in Italy, the witch’s lore was mixed with that of Epiphany (which is pronounced eh pi fa nia in Italian) and with the “p” like a “b” in Roman dialect. This is where the witch got her name. Legend has it that La Befana (who had the reputation of having an immaculate home) spent her life searching for Christ and is still searching for him today. Each year, on January 6, she visits the homes of all children (like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve) and leaves them candy and sweets if they’re good or coal if they are bad. Italian confectioners sell rock candy shaped like coal at Christmas for this reason.
Today La Befana is celebrated yearly in Piazza Navona in Rome and in many other Italian cities during December all the way up until Epiphany. It’s like a winter version of a state fair in a piazza with roasting chestnuts, candies, mimes, children’s games, inexpensive gifts, etc. While I lived in Rome this was a great time when everyone (who had stopped the evening stroll due to cold weather) to get back out in onto the streets. We would always run into friends – and it was a time when old and young could celebrate together.
Here’s a song about La Befana:
La Befana vien di notte
Con le scarpe tutte rotte
Col vestito alla romana
Viva, Viva La Befana!
The English translation is:
La Befana comes at night
With old and torn shoes
She comes dressed Roman style
Long live the Befana!
Celebrate la Befana with one of my favorite Roman appetizers:
Bruschetta di Carciofi/Artichoke Bruschetta
The topping is an artichoke puree which I used to enjoy will living in Rome. It was a typical antipasto served at one of my favorite pizzerias. Luckily, it healthy, and easy to make.Use the best quality olive oil possible.
Ingredients:
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