Traditional Christmas Day treats
panettone and tortellini are still prime festive fare for the
palate, according to the latest survey.
The study by the chamber of commerce of Milan and the
surrounding area found that 73% of those polled put panettone
Christmas cake at the top of their Yuletide favourites list,
followed by tortellini on brodo on 44%, panettone's rival
pandoro on 33%, and capon at 16%.
Among the 'alternative' Christmas meals, vegetarian lasagne
topped the bill at 33%.
As for table decorations, candles won out on 52% ahead of
edible decorations at 24% and holiday wreaths on 22%.
Another study, by the Coldiretti farm group, found that 81%
of Italian households will stick to traditional fish menus on
Christmas Eve.
Coldiretti advised consumers to buy their clams, sole, sea
bass, red mullet and traditional 'capitone' eels straight from
the producer, guaranteeing freshness.
They said Italians should check the label, to see the fish is
properly sourced, and should make sure "the flesh of the fish
has a firm but elastic consistency and does not smell too
strongly".
Clams, mussels and other shellfish must have their shells
firmly locked shut, Coldiretti said, and prawns and shrimps must
not have blackened heads.
"It's better not to choose fish that have already had their
heads and fins cut off," the association added.
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