For recipe see Italy Revisited/Recipes/"Taralli Dolce"

Mrs. Angela Giulione whose recipe for trecce appears on this website [See "Taralli Dolce"] notes that in the 1930s, when she was growing up in Mondragone, Caserta, Campania, trecce were only made for the Feast Day of San Slyvester -- January 1st. In some areas of Italy San Slyvester's feast day is celebrated on December 31st (The official Catholic Church's name day for this saint) but in other areas, this feast day is combined with New Year Day's festivities. In any case, when Mrs. Angela Giulione was growing up in Mondragone, Caserta, Campania the trecce were only eaten on New Year's Day (San Slyvester's Feast Day) and at no other time. Apparently, San Slyvester's feast day was celebrated a bit like Halloween is celebrated in North America -- children went around "trick or treating." On the Feast Day of San Slyvester the children in Mondragone, would knock on their neighbors' doors (in the late afternoon) and sing the following song: "Saint Sylvester was born early and now we are here so give us something to eat." They went in groups of 3 or 4, and often one of the older children would beat a home-made instrument (e.g. a bucket) and make music (And/or noise). According to Mrs. Giulione the festivities were kept within the neighborhood -- the children stayed close to their homes (They did not visit relatives who lived far away). Generally, only four or five groups of children came by (A hostess would not have hoards of kids to feed). Anyway, after the children had sung their little song and had beaten their home-made instruments they were given the "trecce" as a treat or reward for their efforts. Of course, as the trecce were only made once a year (unlike Halloween candy which can be had any old time), they were very much appreciated. Actually, even if they had been made more frequently, they would have been appreciated for these taralli dolci are incredibly tasty. Tasty and wholesome.... Photo: Mary Melfi.

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