Buon’ Compleanno, Pinocchio!
Posted By Mary Freeland on May 4, 2011
Courtesy of italophiles.com
Long before Walt Disney introduced that theory into the collective American lexicon with his 1940 movie, Italian mothers were using that admonishment to keep their prevaricating progeny in line. For you see, that beloved wooden boy was actually BORN in Italy. In Tuscany, in fact!
Yes, on the 25th of May, 1883, Le avventure di Pinocchio, storia di un burattino was first published. This beloved children’s tale was written by Carlo Lorenzini, a Florentine who took the pen surname “Collodi” after the Tuscan village where his mother was born.
The original Italian story is a bit darker and more detailed than it’s Disney counterpart, but the main thread is the same – that of a magical piece of wood that was carved by the lonely Gepetto into the form of a marionette, a “son” for the kindly old gentleman. As any child – or anyone who has been a child – can tell you, Pinocchio runs into considerable mischief in his attempt to become a real boy.
Pinocchio is beloved the world over, though perhaps nowhere as much as in his hometown of Collodi in Tuscany. There the last Sunday in May is set aside for a day long festival to celebrate his birth at the beautiful Parco di Pinocchio, a kinder and gentler theme park where statues trump thrill rides and the story’s characters come to life against the backdrop of of a medieval village nestled in the mountains.
You may not be able to make the trip this year, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the original Tuscan tale of this iconic figure during his birth month. Online copies are available for free download on a number of sites and through e-reader commerce – grab one and get re-acquainted with a childhood friend!
With its considerable coastline, Italy is a country married to the sea. From ancient times natives have lived near and worked on the ocean; playing on her beaches, sailing from her ports and harvesting her bounty. One could complete a tour of Italy eating only seafood, and be assured of a different delicious dish every night…such is the Italian love of fish.
Aside from the pizza pie, the meatball (or polpette) may be the most recognized of all Italy’s culinary contributions. And, like the pizza pie, there are as many ways to make Italian meatballs as there are people to ASK about making meatballs.
Yes, ever since 1097 when Florentine Pazzino de’Pazzi returned from the Crusades with flints from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the people of that fine city have been igniting things with them on Easter. Initially it was torches bearing “holy light” that were carried through the town and distributed in the square, but over the years the ritual has evolved. The tradition that endures to this day – that of using the fire to ignite fireworks in a 500 year old ox cart in front of the Piazza del’Duomo – was begun in the 15th century.
When I asked a dear Italian friend of mine what one dish said “Spring” to her, without hesitation she answered “Nonna’s Sweet Rice Pie”. While she recalled for me this dish from her childhood – this paragon of pastry, this dessert most sublime – a dreamy look of contentment spread across her face at the memory. Part cheesecake, part custard…melt in your mouth yet substantial…incredibly rich without being too sweet. Her description defied all known laws of confection. 
Is it Spring yet? While the calendar says we’re not quite there yet, those of you who are loathe to wait can pour yourself a happy little glass of sunshine straight from the coast of Sorrento.