HAPPY ITALIAN HANUKKAH

ITALIAN HANUKKAH. There is a long standing Jewish tradition in Italy dating back to Roman times.

This year my sister Roxana reminded me of this recipe with her Facebook post.

AUGURI PER HANUKKAH! During Imperial times it is estimated the Roman Jewish community numbered more than 50,000. It is no wonder that the ancient receipe for carciofi alla giudia (Roman Jewish artichokes) remains popular to this day. A delightful crunchy fried treat, I recommend ordering it at anytime not just during Hanukkah.

Carciofi alla Guidia Robert's Way!

Carciofi alla Guidia Robert's Way!

1. Slice the 4 freah Artichokes in half, lengthwise.

Remove the inside choke.

2. Pour about 1/4" olive oil in heavy pot and put in sliced 1 head of sliced garlic. Turn the burner on low.... Put in the artichokes and cover the pot.

2. Cook for about an hour

3. Serve with either clarified lemon-butter or low fat/ olive oil mayonnaise.

Brush the oil from the cooking of the artichokes , bruschetta-style, on
slices of crusty French bread and top with pot-roasted sliced garlics.
Can you feel the love!

If you are ever in Rome, the place to eat carciofi alla giudia is an area referred to as the "Ghetto", which had traditionally been the Jewish section of town.

For centuries, Rome's Jewish ghetto has been the site of both relentless persecution and the undying pride and solidarity of a tight-knit community. Built in 1555 on the banks of a frequently flooded bend of the Tiber River, the ghetto was the forced home of the Roman Jewish population for more than 300 years, between the Counter-Reformation (16th century) and Italian unification (19th century). Though most of the old ghetto has been torn down, you can still find a few reminders of the Roman Jews' storied past and lively present.