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CARNIVAL (January 17th) -- Molise -- Personal Recollections
Originated from: Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Occasion: Carnival
Contributed by: Mrs. Rosina Melfi

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Ingredients

Treats given to children who went door to door for Carnival:

To very young children

Dried figs
Mandarin oranges
Nuts
Liri (pennies)


To older children

Dried figs
Mandarin oranges
Nuts
Liri (pennies)
Slices of dried sausages
Slices of dried ham
Slices of dried bacon
Pieces of "nole" -- a delicacy made with air-dried pig intestines



Directions




Notes

Prior to World War II carnival was always celebrated on January 17th in Casacalenda, Molise and the surrounding area. The celebrations were very similar to those North Americans now do for Halloween. Bother adults and children would attend costume parties, though of course, all the costumes were hand-made. Children, even youths of 16 and 17, would go from house to house, collecting treats. Some kids brought along sacs and others used pillow cases as sacs. They'd dress up in all sorts of outrageous costumes, and some would paint their faces with coal, making big blotches to look as ugly as possible. As Carnival celebrations were in the middle of winter, kids would have to wear a coat over their costumes. However, back then when the kids knocked on a door they were invited in, and there they took off their coats and showed off their strange garments. Generally, kids first went to family members' homes and then they went to their neighbors. The older kids went all around town, collecting as much as they could. Some ate the treats right away, others kept them for later. Poorer households gave dried figs and nuts; richer households gave slices of dried sausages. Of course, no one gave slices of sausages that had been preserved in olive oil. That was generally eaten during the wheat harvest, and given to "day laborers" as a special treat. One had to work out a sweat in order to be award such a prized food. Also, land owners, wanted to keep their day laborers happy, and one way to do this was to give them good food. In any case, besides, slices of dried sausages, ham and "nole" were also given to older children who came knocking on doors for Carnival. At that time "nole" was made during the pig killing. The small intestines of the pig were used as castings for sausages, but the large intestines were used for larger air-dried meats such as soprasata. However, not everyone had enough meat to make soprasata, so they dried the larger intestines and then this was fried with hot chillies and garlic. At that time this was considered a delicacy, and much loved. Obviously, the older kids, knew who would give what, and knocked on their doors, and did their best to impress the townsfolk with their antics. Most people enjoyed the little kids the best as it didn't take much to please them. Most children went around 6 or 7 o'clock in the evening. Later, after the trick or treating had finished, many people threw parties. Adults and kids would come along, wearing costumes, and have a good time. Sometimes, skits were performed. In fact, I took part in quite a number of them.... Image ID: The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery # 1619187.

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