Italian Purim Recipes

Purim celebrates how Queen Esther, upon hearing that her husband, Ahasuerus, King of Persia, had issued an edict ordering the death of the Jews, risked his wrath by appearing before him unsummoned, and revealing that she herself was Jewish; the King had second thoughts about what his Prime Minister, a man named Haman, was asking him to do, and in the end turned the tables on the evil minister.

"This being one of the few times that a tragic event in Jewish history turned out well, even now we celebrate it with joy," writes Giuliana Ascoli Vitali-Norsa in La Cucina Nella Tradizione Ebraica. "It's a festival for young and old, and it's custom to don costumes, and recite, drinking wine and exchanging gifts of every kind. The classic dish one finds in all Jewish traditions is known as Haman's Ears, and in Italy almond-based sweets are especially popular.

"In other countries," she continues, "Jews celebrate other Purims as well, which recall similar moments of terror that ended with joyful celebration.

"Purim is preceded by a fast, Esther's Fast, in memory of the fast she undertook to beg God to intervene for His people."

Mrs. Vitali-Norsa suggests the following menu for Purim:

• Spinach Ravioli, or Ravioli di Spinaci
• Sfogliette in Grasso: An unusual, rich baked pasta dish
• Polpettone di Tacchino e Vitello: Turkey and Veal Loaf
• Testine di Spinaci: Spinach Shoots
• Buricche, tasty puff pastries with a meat filling
• Orecchie di Aman (Haman's Ears), Pignoccate, Marzipan, and Struffoli, among other sweets.

Happy Purim!

Non-Italian Purim recipes
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