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TICKING TUESDAYS! (ST. JOSEPH’S DAY/ALTAR)

Good Morning Foodies!

Today’s Menu:

Surprising Arancini Balls
Bite Size Tomato Tarts
Delicious and Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo
Grouper with Cherry Tomatoes and Black Olives
Amazing Fresh Fig Galette

Today, ST. JOSEPH’S DAY, is a very important and monumental FEAST DAY for CATHOLICS, especially ITALIAN CATHOLICS! I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood, through my teens, into college years and then into my adult married life. It was a miracle just watching those LITTLE ITALIAN RELATIVES of mine gather in each other homes and prepare food to feed an army. If you were amazed that JESUS could serve 5000 with a few loaves of bread and some fish, you ain’t seen nothing until you see this food put on the ALTAR! You need to put this on your bucket list—THIS IS WHERE FOOD MEETS FAITH !

The altars that are built by the community church members are unbelievable. These ALTARS are a reflection of the deep devotion to this patron of those in need—WORKERS, TRAVELERS, THE AGED AND THE DYING! The roots of this event stems from Sicily. The very first altar was set up as thanks after prayers to ST. JOSEPH which led to end of a horrible famine.

I do know that there are still ALTARS being done in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and even here in Opelousas. I hope it is a tradition that never stops. I believe today the food is donated to some shelters or organizations but back in the day, the community came together and ate all that food.

For those of you who are not familiar with this big production, here is a very short version of the event. Usually, a family or families gather to pay homage to St. Joseph, for some special favor that was granted through prayer. Children are selected to represent the HOLY FAMILY and some special SAINTS. After the altar is blessed, the selected HOLY FAMILY, has to taste each item that comes off the altar, and then it is passed on to the gathering of people. Most leftovers are donated to some worthy group. When I was about 6, I was selected to be MARY. Needless, to say, being that young, I could care less about most of the food passing my way, except for the DESSERTS—NOW IF THAT WAS TODAY—THEY WOULD HAVE TROUBLE GETTING MARY OFF THE ALTAR! There are some of the most amazing food items served. It is not just random food—there is a significant meaning to each item served. Some of the items were as follows:
Dried Fava Beans—carry in your wallet-meant you would always have money on hand.
Blessed Bread in Freezer-throw crumbs out in bad storms to protect you.
Blessed Bread Shapes: Round (circle of life); Oval (Easter); Cross.
Bread Crumbs Spread Around Altar-represents St. Joseph’s carpenter dust.
Never meat on the altar—only seafood (because this holiday usually falls during Lent)
Beautiful Meringue Doves-represent the Holy Spirit.
The night before there is the blessing of the altar and all gather to say the rosary. How I miss those days!

What more can I possibly say but when EASTER AND ST. JOSEPH’S DAY fall this close together, it becomes magical. These two special days are EPIC MEALS FOR ITALIANS! This is when we truly shine in the kitchen. There is not an empty pot or pan to be found. All types of food items line the counters, buffets, and every table in sight! Ah yes, it is HEAVEN ON EARTH!

When I close my eyes, I can recall some of my most memorable meals prepared by my GRANDMOTHER, AUNTS and my MOM! I can still remember when it was pasta making day! Old broomsticks were braced across the dining room chairs so that the fresh cut pasta was hung to dry. Yep, we did get a few whacks on our butts as we ran through the dining room trying to knock the pasta strands down. They did not quite see the humor in it.

I have such great memories of ST. JOSEPH’S ALTAR DAYS! If you have never experienced one, fine one and try it out! Amazing people put this event on!

KITCHEN WILL BE CLOSED THE REST OF THIS WEEK AND MONDAY, MARCH 25TH! HELPING HUBBY WITH SOME EVENT HIS OFFICE IS SPONSORING AND HAVE AN EVENT FOR ONE OF OUR GRAND PEEPS TO ATTEND! WILL BE BACK POSTING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH!

Have a safe and productive rest of the week and weekend!

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