Sicilian Gnocchi - an American variant

I made this recipe the other night. It was a big hit so I figured I'd post it here for folks who might be interested.  The pics aren't in order but you'll get the idea.

Ciao!

My pictures (in reverse order!) of the process can also be found at: https://www.facebook.com/nivho/posts/10152055025804810

Ingredients

·         2 large russet potatos, baked & mashed smooth

·         1/4 - 1/2 cup pistachio flour

·         1 3/4 cup flour (more as needed to get the right consistency

·         1/4 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon white pepper

·         4 oz toasted pine nuts

·         seeds from 1 pomegranete

·         12 - 16 oz butternut squash chunks*

o   6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

o   1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

Directions

Pistachio Flour -

Make pistachio flour, if need be by putting the roasted, unsalted nuts into a food processor until smooth enough. Grind in short bursts to retain the flavorful oil naturally in the nuts.

Potato -

Preheat oven to 400F. Prick potatoes all over with fork. Bake 45 minutes, or until soft. Cool 10 minutes, or until easy to handle. Peel potatos and then into a large bowl, mash them until smooth. I use a potato ricer to get a nice consistency.

Roast butternut squash -

Place the butternut squash chunks in a roasting pan (or on a baking sheet with edges). Add the butter and brown sugar. With clean hands, toss all the ingredients together and smooth into a single layer, if possible.  Roast for 45 minutes at 400 degrees, until the squash is tender and the glaze begins to caramelize. While roasting, turn the squash a few times so they brown evenly. Set aside (I drain off any remaining liquid and just let the squash begin to cool).

Pine Nuts -

Toast the pine nuts in a *dry, non-stick skillet being careful not to let the pine nuts burn. You only want them toasted. Let them cool on a papertowel, spread out in a single layer. Set aside for later.

Pomegranate seeds -

De-seed the pomegranate into a bowl. Cover and put in the fridge for later use.

VIDEO: http://lifehacker.com/5895852/deseed-a-pomegranate-in-10-seconds-using-a-wooden-spoon

Gnocchi -

Lightly flour a baking sheet (or two) and your work surface.

To the bowl with the mashed potatos, gradually add the flour until the dough is firm but smooth and slightly "tacky" but not sticky. I start by adding 1/4 cup of the pistachio flour and folding it into the potato. The I add 1/4 - 1/2 of the normal flour at a time until I get the right consistency. Use your hands so you get a feel for the dough. About 5 minutes or so of kneading is what mine generally take. Once the dough is smooth, put it back into the mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap for about 10 minutes.

Cut the gnocchi dough ball into four equal pieces and put all but one back into the bowl and cover. Transfer the first piece of dough to lightly floured work surface. Roll into a long snake/strand about 3/4-inch thick. Using a pastry scrapper, cut into 1 inch lengths. Do this for each of the pieces of dough.

Roll each bite into a ball quickly and then gently press each ball into the tines of a fork to form grooves in the dough. Hold a fork at about a 45-degree angle (I face the back of the fork away from me but other folks hold it so the back is facing towards them) with tines of the fork touching the work surface. With your thumb (perpendicular to the work surface) gently press each "pillow" of dough down the tines. As you press, the dough will begin to curl around your thumb or fingers. Help it along, as you remove it from the fork. There will be a pattern of raised stripes across the gnocchi.

Place the finished gnocchi onto a lightly floured baking pan as you finish them.

Cook only the amount of fresh gnocchi that you will be eating immediately (that day). Any remaining gnocchi can be frozen. Put the excess fresh gnocchi on a baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each piece. Freeze. Once they are frozen you can place in a plastic freezer bag.

The Gnocchi Boil -

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 teaspoon of sea salt added. Lower the temperature so the water is at a gentle boil, not a vigorous boil.  Add the gnocchi but not too much at once. Stir lightly so they don't stick together or to the bottom of the pot.  Watch them and once they are ALL floating at the top (1 - 3 minutes) use a slotted spoon and scoop them out of the boiling water into a warming (medium heat) non-stick fry pan with 1 tablespoon of organic extra virgin olive oil. Be careful when putting the gnocchi into the frying pan because the water from the gnocchi could spatter when it goes into the oil.

When the gnocchi start to brown *slightly*, add the pine nuts, and squash (I drain the liquid/butter from the squash first). Lightly toss until all ingredients are warm, transfer to plates and garnish with the pomegranate seeds.

Good alternate recipe with pictures: http://www.chezbettay.com/pages/dinners1/dinrs_gnocchiN.html

Here are my pictures from dinner. Sorry they're not in order!

Recommended reading list?

This week, I've gotten (literally) a dozen requests for "recommended book lists".  Of course, the recommended book list will change dramatically depending on what the Seeking is looking to explore. Modern Paganism? Witchcraft? Wicca? Occultism and magic?

Here is the basic list that I recommend when I'm not quite sure exactly what someone is seeking:

The "**" are the ones that I really like given the topic that they cover.

• Spiral Dance – Starhawk (Modern feminist witchcraft) **

• Magical Kaballah – Dion Fortune (occult/magic)
• Psychic Self-Defense – Dion Fortune (occult/magic) **

• The Rebirth of Witchcraft – Doreen Valiente (BTW Style) **
• Witchcraft for Tomorrow – Doreen Valiente (BTW Style) **
• Witchcraft Today – Gardner (BTW Style) **

• Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today (reference) **

• Farrar, Janet and Stewart.
o ___. Eight Sabbats for Witches (BTW/Alexandrian Style) **
o ___. The Witches' Way (BTW/Alexandrian Style) **
o ___. The Witches’ Goddess (reference)
o ___. The Witches’ God (reference)
o ___. Progressive Witchcraft, (Farrar, Janet & Bone, Gavin (post BTW/BTW derived/Pagan Mystery Witchcraft) **

• Lipp, Deborah
o ___. The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle
o ___. The Way of Four: Create Elemental Balance in Your Life (Wicca based elemental work) **
o ___. The Study of Witchcraft: A Guidebook to Advanced Wicca (I haven't read this yet but it's on my list!)

• Sorita d'Este
o ___. Towards the Wiccan Circle - A Practical Introduction to the Principles of Wicca (reference)
o ___. WICCA MAGICKAL BEGINNINGS - A Study of the Possible Origins of the Rituals and Practices Found in this Modern Tradition of Pagan Witchcraft and Magick (reference)

• Cunningham, Scott

o ___. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Modern "Eclectic Wicca") **
o ___. Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Modern "Eclectic Wicca")
o ___. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Reference)

FICTION:
• High Magic’s Aid – Gardner (fiction)
• Lammas Night - Katherine Kurtz (fiction)

• Fortune, Dion (fiction)
o ___. The Goat-Foot God
o ___. Moon Magic
o ___. The Sea Priestess1996.
o ___. The Secrets of Doctor Taverner

You might have noticed that I did not list any "bad books".  Even though I feel that there are some pretty horrid books available, I tend to NOT tell people to not read them.  Why?  If they have a clue, it should be apparent quite quickly. :-)  Besides, what I don't like someone else may love and find meets their needs perfectly. Who am I to criticize their reading choices?

For the folks interested in specifically Traditional Italic-American Craft, here is the beginning reading list that I offer:

·         Books on Sicilian Craft

o   Martello, Leo

§  Witchcraft: The Old Religion by Leo Martello

§  Weird Ways of Witchcraft by Leo Martello

·         Books on Italian/American-Italian Craft

o   Grimassi, Raven

§  Italian Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi (Originally printed as “Ways of the Strega: Italian Witchcraft: Its Legends, Lore, & Spells”, reprinted with new title and supplemental material.)

§  The Book of Ways, V1 & v2 by Raven Grimassi

§  The Cimaruta: And Other Magical Charms From Old Italy by Raven Grimassi

§  The Book of the Holy Strega. Second Edition by Raven Grimassi

o   Jonathan Sousa

§  Classical Polytheism by Nemesis (Jonathan Sousa)

·         Italian Culture and Myth

o   Calvino, Italo

§  Italian Folktales

o   Leland, Charles

§  Aradia, Gospel of the Witches

§  Etruscan Roman Remains

·         Anything regarding the history and/or culture of Sicily or the Italic people

So, what are your favorite books that you would recommend?

Benedizioni,

---Vinnie

Southern Italian and Sicilian drumming, chanting, and dancing.

I just returned from a weekend workshop with Alessandra Belloni.  The workshop was a variation of her “Rhythm is the Cure - Healing Dance & Drum Workshop”. Alessandra describes the workshop as, “In this workshop featuring Southern Italian folk dances and rituals we will learn chants used to invoke the healing power of the sun and moon, as well as a repertoire of therapeutic dances, accompanied by the beat of Frame drums and tambourines. Alessandra presents these unique dance movements which trace their roots from Southern Italy back to ancient Greece, with connections to Iran, Egypt and Andalusia, as well as to the traditions of the Gypsies who traveled from Rajasthan through North Africa, Morocco and Spain to Sicily and Calabria.”

My reason for talking this workshop was to be exposed to (and hopefully learn a bit of) the traditional drumming and chanting that is native to Southern Italy and Sicily.  For me, the dancing was an added bonus. I wanted to learn about the Italian/Sicilian traditions of using rhythm, chant, and dance so I could incorporate some of the techniques into my own practice of Sicilian-American Stregheria.

From the outside, as an observer, one can see that this artistry has its roots in what is commonly referred to as the “folk customs and celebration of the ancient Italic peoples and their descendants.  However, from the perspective of the full participant who can approach this system with mindfulness and respect, a system of spiritual expression and healing is revealed.  This goes well beyond folk customs.  It becomes no less than a powerful spiritual devotion, a system of inducing trance states, and a door to the realms of ecstatic (Dionysian) dance, chant, and rhythm that can lead to healing and triggering cathartic events.

The weekend workshop was held in an ideal setting.  We stayed in a private mansion on 44 acres of gorgeous land. We had a wonderful and gracious host (Arden) and an amazing cook (Heidi).  Other than them, we had the entire grounds to ourselves.

Over the course of the weekend, Alessandra shared with us several basic drumming techniques using a type of Italian tambourine/drum (tamburello/tammora/tambourine).  The techniques were strung together into specific patterns designed to enliven the spirit and body and to align the participants with our goals. 

Coupled with that, we also learned some traditional rhythmic chants and combined them with the drumming to add to our devotional practice. Rhythm is the Cure – rhythm is the key.

Throughout the weekend we were also learn the basics of four traditional dances. They were the Tammorriata, the Pizzica Tarantata, the Tarantella de’ 600, and the Ritmo e Danza e di San Rocco or Spinning Dance. A person watching would immediately see the relation to the “Italian Wedding Dance” that is often seen at Italian-American festivals. These dances, however, are far more than simple folk dances or elaborate step dances that are performed at Italian-American community celebrations. Watching Alessandra perform these steps shows a clear spiritual essence to them and you KNOW that the dance is something that can bring one closer to the Divine.

The combination of rhythmic drumming, chanting, and drumming in this ancient style is powerful for all participants regardless of which role is performed.  A person usually takes one of the roles: drummer, singer/chanter, or dancer. With practice, some folks may combine the drumming and chanting but the dancers do not normally also drum or chant at the same time. Although, Alessandra is so accomplished that she can seemingly effortlessly do all three at once!

Frankly, I never knew what hard work drumming (and chanting and dancing!) were until I took this workshop. It’s hard. Also, it’s so very worth it.

I am immensely grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in the workshop.  It has given me some new tools to add to my own practice and Path. I had a wonderful time meeting new friends, being in a totally supportive environment, and expanding my understanding of the practices of my ancestors.

If you ever get the chance to see Alessandra Belloni, do so.  If you ever get the chance to study with her, do whatever it takes.  You won’t regret it.  I don’t.

Benedizioni,

---Vincenzo

      

Who is Alessandra Belloni?  An excerpt from her website (http://www.alessandrabelloni.com/) says: “Alessandra Belloni is the Artistic Director, Founder and Lead Performer of "I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA", an Italian Music, Theatre and Dance Ensemble who is Artists-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St.John the Divine in New York City. She is also the designer of a line of signature series Italian tambourines made by Remo, and of special brushes for tambourine with Pro- Mark. She is the only woman in the U.S. and in Italy who specializes in traditional Southern Italian folk dances and percussion that she learned from the old people in the fields.”

Dances: (http://www.alessandrabelloni.com/workshops)

TAMMORRIATA - This elegant and sensual dance from Naples is performed by couples playing castanets to the rhythm of the large drum, called the Tammorra. The dance movements have a strong Spanish and Middle Eastern flourish, with many recognizable movements of the Flamenco and Belly Dance traditions. These movements are set to the beat of African 4/4 rhythms. The Tammorriata is based upon an improvisational style of drumming and singing usually enacted during the summer rituals in honor of the ancient Earth Goddess Cybele, and later, the Black Madonna.

THE PIZZICA TARANTATA – This erotic and dynamic ritual dance originated as a cure for the mythical bite of the Tarantula, a condition causing a mental disease called tarantismo, which afflicted mainly women (tarantate) in Southern Italy. The wild rhythm of the Pizzica, played on medium size tambourines and accompanied by dance was performed as an exorcism ritual which produced a trance-like state beneficial for the healing of many disorders and imbalances. As part of a re-enactment of this healing ritual, Alessandra will lead the participants in a circle dance accompanied by her magic tambourine 6/8 rhythm and singing. During the ritual each student will learn the steps of the Pizzica, which means “ bite,” building up to a culmination where each student will enter the circle and lay down upon a white sheet, surrounded by red ribbons, and emulate "Spider" like movements on the ground, releasing stress and blockages of sexual energy, as well as opening the heart and throat chakras. The dance comes to completion as each participant dances their way out of an imaginary “Spider Web.”

TARANTELLA DE’ 600 – This is a Renaissance folk dance which is done in pairs which is very popular in Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. It contains both fast, energetic steps and combined arm and leg movements which improve coordination. This invigorating dance had been called by Alessandra’s students ‘Italian Aerobics”.  

 RITMO E DANZA DI SAN ROCCO or SPINNING DANCE – This dance originating in Calabria during the Middle Ages evokes the elegant and meditative movements of the Whirling Dervish ceremonies of the Sufis. This dance was used during the time of the plague to heal people and as a release from overpowering fears of death. Due to the trance-inducing movements and incessant spinning many people enter ecstatic states during this dance. The session ends with a meditation utilizing a chant to the Sun, Jesce Sole, in the Lydian scale. The calming and lilting harmonies of this chant combined with the ocean drum guides students into complete relaxation. Participants emerge feeling light and joyful after this healing journey through sound and dance.