The modern Italian Christmas is a tremendously commercial thing. Hasn't always been like this, however; time was that Christmas was an occasion for families to get together and celebrate the birth of the Savior, while gifts were given to the children on Epiphany, the day that the Magi arrived at the manger. And if one was invited? A cesta, in other words a basket of goodies...
Happy Happy!
1. A Pandoro Pan
Pandoro is the classic Christmas cake of Verona, an airy mountain covered with powdered sugar. Since an imported pandoro may be less than fresh, you may want to make your own to include in a basket or enjoy at home.
2. A Panettone Pan
Panettone is the classic Milanese Christmas cake, a delightful bread with candied fruit and raisins. It keeps very well, and the milanese usually set aside a wedge of the cake they enjoy at Christmas to be eaten on San Biagio in early February. Since an imported panettone may be less than fresh, you may want to make your own to include in a basket or enjoy at home.3. Dried Figs
Dried fruit plays a vital role in assembling a cesta, as do walnuts and other nuts.
4. Dates
Dried figs without dates to temper them just wouldn't be quite right.5. Biscotti
Biscotti are, of course, cookies, and no cesta would be complete without some. The link leads to a page with a wide selection; if you are familiar with a brand and like it, you may want to pick it rather than an unknown. If you pick almond biscotti, don't forget the vinsanto! Antinori's is widely available and perfect for biscotto dunking.6. Amaretti
Amaretti are almond macaroons, and those one buys in a store are generally crunchy (there are soft versions too; see below). They are in any case addictive. The link leads to a selection of several kinds.7. Chocolates
Gotta have some sort of chocolate in a cesta. The link leads to a Baci Perugina page; for those unfamiliar with baci, they're chocolates filled with chocolate-hazelnut cream, and each has a quote about love, supposedly because a pair of lovers in the Perugina factory were caught sending each other notes with the chocolates. It seemed like a good idea, so...8. Limoncello
The glorious lemony liqueur made along the Costiera Amalfitana and the Salento, south of Naples. If you instead want to make your own, see the related resources section below.9. Honey
Honey is one of the great gifts of nature. The page linked to has four of the classic Italian varieties. Acacia and millefiore are more delicate, while castagno (chestnut) has a pleasingly bitter tang.10. Pasta
A package of artisinal pasta is a nice addition to a cesta. This page has a number of different flavored varieties. If you recognize a brand and like it, go with it.
