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X X List of Traditional Foods from Molise
Cuisine of Molise -- Funeral Foods -- Personal Recollections
Originated from: Casacalenda, Campobasso, Molise
Occasion: Funerals
Contributed by: Mary Melfi

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Ingredients

For recipes see Italy Revisited/"X Italian Soups"



Directions




Notes

Prior to World War II it was the custom in Molise to prepare chicken soup on the day of a funeral. Generally, the soup was prepared by close relatives of the bereaved family. However, as chicken meat was relatively expensive at that time, not everyone could afford to make it and offer it to their loved ones. According to my mother those who could not afford to make chicken soup with flaked chicken breast meat (considered the best part of the chicken), added beaten egg to the broth. The poorest of the poor would offer the bereaved any food they had on hand -- including "pasta e fagiole." It was assumed that the family that experienced a death of a loved one should be given food for obvious reasons -- firstly, because they understood that if a family had to take care of a funeral they would not have the time or energy to cook, and secondly, it was a way to show their love and support in a time of sorrow. For recipes see Italy Revisited/Recipes/ "Italian Soups".... Photo: Mary Melfi.

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