Happy Giorno del Ringraziamento!

And since it’s Thanksgiving night, we ended it with Christmas stories and songs.

“From the disheveled tresses the color of the sun, seawater flowed over the green, wide-open eyes.” Thus Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa describes Lighea, the bewitching siren and principal figure in his novel. She has inspired the creation of a complex and innovative wine and an equally original label. 

Thanksgiving dinner is ready.

I love that the worn-shiny knocker shows the favored side of these doors.

In cartoccio, for cooking.

Buon Giorno del Ringraziamento!

That’s as much a mouthful as the words “Happy Thanksgiving,” which is what I wish to all my family and friends in the U.S.!

We are having our big lunch around 2:00 pm here; the orata now roasting and about to perfume the air. I was considering a first course of linguine with a simple base of garlic and salted anchovies and topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, but Mariella shook her head. “Un po di insalata. C’è in sacco di pesce!” So just a light salad it is, to go with our bunch of fish!

We had wanted to poke around in Adrano today, to do some shopping for things other than food, but were greeted with a soaking drizzle, and we had no umbrella. Unlike Rome, there are not instant umbrella vendors on every corner as soon as it rains in Adrano. A quick caffe at un Bar, then we did indeed stop at a grocery store on the way back (mostly for wine). It’s fun to see the employees’ shirts this week: “Black Day Prezzi!” (Black Day [not Black Friday] Prices!)

Back home, Elena had a big Happy Thanksgiving hug for me, and Mariella made sure we knew how to cook the orata. Next week, we plan to make a typical Sicilian dish of swordfish involtini, and Mariella gave us a step-by-step. I told Elena that her mom is a bomb of energy. Energetic? Or she’s just crazy? she offered.

And of course now that I’ve got laundry and lunch going, the sun is out!

Seeing Elena and Mariella while I had laundry going, we discussed Thanksgiving dinner. Elena said she couldn’t find a translation for gravy. I said that’s because you’d never serve it. She admits, mashed potatoes wouldn’t be something you find here. I explained how to make gravy, and she thinly veiled her repulsion. I opted not to broach any discussion about canned jellied cranberries or the sweet potato/marshmallow aberration of a root vegetable dish. I did admit most “traditional” side dishes were the consistency of baby food. She suggested it might be perfect for Ettore.

The orata turned out magnificently. We did have a salad of greens, tomatoes, salt, and olive oil for the second course, along with a hearty loaf of fresh-baked bread. The wine (which had one of those burglar tags that the associate had to remove at check out… it was €15, a high price for wine here!) is a Donnafugata white, named after my favorite siren Lighea (aka Ligea, the name of the Carthusia I wear daily). Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, known mainly for his novel, The Leopard (Il Gattopardo—also the name of a restaurant I love in Manhattan; the novel is set during the ‘Risorgimento,’ the unification of Italy, and Lighea is a principal character), inspired the name and the label. It’s fresh and floral, and a bit of minerality follows. It was lovely with the orata.

We tried to book last night’s happily thwarted restaurant attempt for tonight, but they’re booked. We may go back to Pinto, which we enjoyed.

Ettore should arrive soon.

Enjoy your meal, and enjoy your day! I give thanks for all of my family and friends, and for this 🇮🇹 opportunity.

Happy Thanksgiving!