La Festa dell 'Epifania......................The Procession of The Three Kings

aMerry Little Christmas.. La Festa dell' Epifania.. and legendary Befana!   I love celebrating traditions as usually it is followed with a good meal!  With Christmas behind us and the New Year rung in we now have Little Christmas or the procession of The Three Kings bringing gifts to the baby Jesus celebrated today.  Many towns throughout Italy celebrate starting with the legend of Befana ( the Witch woman). On the eve of the Kings procession Jan 5th children hang their stockings to see what Befana will leave for them.  
As the three Kings were on their journey, they stopped at a house along the way and met Befana. She was busy sweeping her house as they appeared and asked directions. They invited her along but she refused and went back to her work. Later on when she was done with her sweeping, she decided to gather up some toys she had and try and catch up to them.  She took her broom and went looking for them, only to get lost herself!   So as tradition has it, she still searches for them on the eve of Epifania, leaving toys and candies to good children or coal to naughty ones. After the children check their stockings there are many celebrations in the local Piazza's where families gather to serve traditional foods to visitors and guests watching the procession. 

This beautiful Befana doll was created by Sarah Russell Dolls http://sarahrusselldolls.com/Befana.htm

An update to my Britalia Way Christmas Pudding. It was delicious and everyone loved it. I took a panettone and cut in chunks and added a jar of Cross and Blackwell Mince Pie filling, chopped dates, apples, and walnuts. I made a custard with three eggs, half and half, milk, and cinnamon, then folded it into the panettone and baked.  I served it Christmas Day as a contorno (side dish) to my Ham, String Beans and Salad. If I had served it as a Dessert, I would have added a dollop of clotted cream as I originally thought.  The sweet taste to the savory ham was truly a Delight!
For dinner tonight I'm making a Pork tenderloin stuffed with Spinich, Pignoli Nuts and Raisins............. a meal fit for a King!!!
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