Imagine a day when vibrant Italian culture comes to life, not just through words in a classroom but through the delicious aromas of traditional pastry and the shared joy of community gatherings. This is the essence of Pasquetta in Italy, a day that extends the Easter celebrations with outings, picnics, and, of course, the iconic Pastiera Napoletana. 

At the Istituto Italiano Scuola, we believe in diving deep into the heart of Italy through its language and culinary wonders, which is why we love to share stories and traditions with you. Just a few days ago, in fact, in collaboration with our dear pastry chef, Giovanni Liguoro of Poesia Caffe, we set out on an educational and delicious journey, creating the perfect Pastiera in an experience that left our students thrilled and eager for more gatherings together. 

During the workshop, which was more than just a simple cooking lesson, we delved into the complex process of creating the perfect Pastiera. The air was filled with laughter, the rich aroma of oranges, and the warmth of shared experiences. Each step, from mixing the ricotta to shaping the pastry crust, was a lesson on the Italian history and a testament to the art of traditional baking. Our students, from beginners to advanced Italian speakers, found common ground in their passion for culture, proving that language learning is most effective when it touches the heart. 

And they also learnt a lot about this time of the year in Italy. 

But what is Pasquetta? 

Pasquetta, or Easter Monday, is celebrated the day after Easter Sunday.

While Easter is steeped in tradition and religious ceremonies, Pasquetta is all about enjoying the arrival of spring in the company of friends and family. Throughout Italy, people head to the countryside, the sea, or city parks, equipped with baskets full of food, ready to spend the day in joyful picnics. This tradition beautifully illustrates the Italian ethos of community, leisure, and the simple pleasures of life.

It’s a day that reminds us that learning Italian isn’t just about mastering verbs and vocabulary; it’s about embracing a culture that finds joy in being together and in celebration.

At the heart of Pasquetta’s celebrations lies a dessert as rich in flavor as it is in history: the Pastiera Napoletana. This beloved Neapolitan sweet combines a fragrant mix of ricotta, candied fruit, and grains soaked in orange blossom water, enclosed in a buttery shortcrust pastry shell.

Legend says that the Pastiera was first created by a Neapolitan mermaid, who mixed the sea’s most beautiful voices with flour, ricotta, eggs, and wheat, creating this divine dessert as a gift to the people of Naples. The preparation of Pastiera is an art, a ritual that begins on Good Friday to allow the flavors to blend and mature by Easter Sunday. It symbolizes rebirth and abundance, resonating deeply with the spirit of spring. Through the Pastiera, we learn more than just a recipe; we immerse ourselves in Italian traditions, understanding the stories and love poured into every ingredient. 

Are you ready to embrace our Italian way to learn Italian?

Join us for our next adventure into the heart of the Italian traditions. Whether it’s with an Italian course or one of our Events, we have something to ignite every passion. Contact us to learn more about our upcoming offers. Let’s begin this beautiful journey together. 

Pastiera Recipe by Giovanni Liguoro

Pastry Dough

Ingredients:

•  500 grams butter 
• 200 grams sugar 
• 140 grams whole eggs 
• 3 grams salt 
• 750 grams flour 

Start by mixing butter and sugar until well combined. 

Add whole eggs and continue mixing. 

Gradually incorporate flour and salt until the dough is homogeneous. 

Filling

 Ingredients:

• 300 grams boiled soft wheat 
• 300 grams ricotta cheese 
• 300 grams sugar 
• 5 eggs 
• Zest of 2 lemons 
• Zest of 2 oranges 
• 3 drops orange flower essential oil 

Blend the boiled soft wheat, ricotta cheese, and sugar until smooth. 

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. 

Combine the beaten eggs with the blended mixture. 

Add lemon zest, orange zest, and orange flower essential oil to the mixture. Mix well. 

Note: Be sure to mix the eggs thoroughly before adding them to the other ingredients. 

Assembly and Baking 

 Preheat the oven to 370°F (190°C). 

Roll out the pastry dough and line a baking dish with it. 

Pour the filling mixture onto the pastry-lined dish. 

Bake the Pastiera cake at 370°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 290°F (145°C) and continue baking for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set. 

Once baked, allow the Pastiera to cool before serving.

Enjoy your traditional Italian dessert! 

Italy is one of the countries where each region is recognizable and unique because of its own traditions, customs, and typical food.  

Beyond that, Southern Italy cities are well known to be very different compared to other cities in the country.  

For instance, don’t expect everyone to speak English. Unlike many parts of Europe where everyone speaks English, in Southern Italy, English is not very common. Southern Italians speak in a dialect that is very difficult to understand even for most Italian speakers. That’s why at Istituto Italiano Scuola we believe it’s important to seize the opportunity to learn some practical Italian phrases to help you start a conversation with the locals. 

But don’t worry about messing up when speaking, because the locals in the South will make sure you feel welcomed and taken care of through copious generosity and friendliness.  

Furthermore, what makes Southern Italy so beautiful is that it’s surrounded by medieval mountain top towns with tiny streets that may or may not accommodate a car. Plus, you may also stumble upon a castle or an ancient church everywhere you go.  

Thanks to this cultural, linguistic, and landscaping diversity, we interviewed our teacher Valerio Mirarchi who is native from Catanzaro, a city located in the Calabria region of Southern Italy.  

What makes your city unique?  

Catanzaro is unique for several reasons. Firstly, it is perched on 3 hills overlooking the Ionian Sea, offering stunning panoramic views of the coastline. This picturesque setting gives the city a distinctive charm. Additionally, Catanzaro is often referred to as the “City of the Two Seas” because it is located between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, making it a strategic and historically significant location. 

What are the hidden gems of your city? 

Catanzaro offers a wide variety of attractions and sites. For those who are interested in historical structures, you may want to walk and admire the Viadotto Bisantis (or Fiumarella bridge), the greatest concrete arch bridge ever built in Italy. It’s an important connecting route between the center of Catanzaro to the Strada dei Due Mari, and either side of the bridge reveals a fantastic scenic view for visitors. 

For those who are interested in nature, you may want to visit Cascata Campanaro Zagarise, a great waterfall with only a short walk to arrive. It is a truly stunning and wonderful spot in the middle of mountain forests. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the area.
 

What are the cultural traditions of your city? 

Catanzaro, like much of Calabria, has a rich cultural heritage. Some of its traditions include “Tarantella Dance,” the traditional Southern Italian dance often performed at celebrations and festivals in Catanzaro. The city also celebrates various religious festivals with processions and events dedicated to patron saints. The most famous one is, “A Naca.” It involves the procession of a life-sized, wooden representation of the body of Christ in a glass casket, accompanied by somber processions and hymns, typically held during Holy Week leading up to Easter. It is a solemn and deeply symbolic event that draws locals and visitors alike to witness this elaborate and emotional display of devotion. 

What is a traditional dish of your city? 

One of the most famous traditional dishes of Catanzaro and the Calabria region is Morzeddu. Morzeddu is a hearty dish made from lamb or pork meat and innards, often prepared by slowly cooking the meat with a rich tomato sauce, onions, and a variety of herbs and spices. The result is a tender, flavorful, and aromatic dish that is a true taste of Calabria’s culinary heritage. It is a favorite during special occasions and family gatherings, reflecting the region’s love for hearty, slow-cooked dishes. Morzeddu showcases the Calabrian tradition of using simple yet delicious ingredients to create a memorable dining experience. 

Catanzaro’s unique location, hidden gems, cultural traditions, and delicious cuisine make it a fascinating destination for those interested in exploring the culture and history of Calabria. 

At the Istituto Italiano Scuola we believe that the Italian countryside is a paradise that offers opportunities to relax in the middle of nature, while tasting delicious local food and wines.  

And in fact, the countryside of Italy is scattered with picturesque places: noble villas with beautiful gardens, vacation farms called “agriturismo” where you can stuff yourself up with genuine and self-produced food, perched villages dominating hilly landscapes, and forests where to hike.  

We believe that if you’re not looking forward to the Italian countryside, you will surely miss a lot in your trips to Italy. It may not be as famous as the biggest tourists’ cities but, it sure has exquisite beauty that cities do not have.  

Voghera is an example of this. It is the main town of the Oltrepo’ Pavese, a geographical area in the province of Pavia that gets its name to its location, in the south of the Po River, the longest river in Italy. Voghera is the native town of our teacher Jimmy. Visitors approaching Voghera pass through an extensive region of cultivated countryside and an uninterrupted set of historic villages and castles, the atmosphere that you breathe here today is still medieval. 

From the interview below you can get some more interesting facts about this town. 

• What makes your city unique? 
  Voghera is a small town, with approximately 40 thousand citizens, but despite that is very renowned in Northern Italy as its geographic position makes it an important railroad junction. On top of that, Voghera is also known for being a wine and industrial center.  

• What are the hidden gems of your city?
  Voghera’s city center is characterized by buildings of historical interest such as churches and castles. Voghera’s most important and most significant church is the Duomo. The cathedral preserves inside gold brocades and precious furnishings. In addition, there are many fine sculptural and ancient pictorial works. Furthermore, very few people know that Voghera is the birthplace of the fashion designer Valentino. 

• What are the cultural traditions of your city?
  The city of Voghera holds its patronal festival, referred to as “La Sensia” (the name in the local dialect), which is the oldest event in Lombardy every year. In its early days, it was a very important moment of the year as it was an opportunity for people to meet foreigners and discover new products from faraway places. Originating as a large livestock market and later becoming primarily an agricultural fair, today it is one of the most modern fairs for those in the industry, as well as a city-wide celebration that hosts many food stands and an amusement park with different rides and rollercoasters. 

• What is a traditional dish of your city?
  The most traditional dish of Voghera is the “Zuppa di Voghera”. It is a cake prepared using two layers of sponge cake, which are later filled with pastry cream, custard, and coffee, then covered again with custard and decorated with chocolate. It might sound like a simple cake, but the traditional recipe is a secret that runs in the local families and with time this recipe was refined to the point that making the real traditional Zuppa di Voghera requires a long and elaborate process. Words can’t describe the taste of it, there’s only one way to discover its goodness and that’s trying it! 

Are you curious enough to plan a trip here? Our school believes that what Jimmy told us it’s the truly gem of an authentic educational experience in your Italian experience.  

At Istituto Italiano Scuola we believe that travel is a pure form of education because you learn another culture while having the full experience of it.  

Before traveling to another country, learn about its history, customs and some handy phrases and words to help you interact with the locals. But, more than that, a great way to get an authentic feel for the culture is to get in contact with someone who has visited the country before, or better yet, lived there. You can search on the Internet looking for everything you want to know about that country, but you can’t have the real sense of the country is.  

A native can give you an idea of the culture from a local’s perspective, useful advice, or where to find the “hidden gems” in the city, even though it could be a small town.  

There are famous cities in Italy, like Rome and Firenze, but let’s focus more on the countryside, those that better represent the Italian reality and culture.  

For these reasons, we interviewed our teacher, Barbara, to speak about Mondovì, her native town situated between Langhe hills and the foot of the Alps.  

• What makes Mondovì unique? 

Like many medieval towns, Mondovì’s old center is on top of a hill. From there, you can enjoy a unique view from the Ligurian Alps to the Matterhorn (called Cervino in Italian), at the border with Switzerland. 

•  What are the ‘hidden gems’ in your city? 

Mondovì is the Italian capital of hot air balloons. The microclimate of the area creates ideal conditions that allows the hot air balloons to fly safely and easily control landing. If you want to learn how to “drive” a hot air balloon, or if you want to enjoy a ride, come over to Mondovì the first week of January for the annual festival, that showcases balloons from all over the world. 

• What are the cultural traditions of your city? 

Every year in February, the ‘Moro’ and his court, ‘rules’ the town for the week of Carnival. Legend says that the captain of the Moors fell in love with the most beautiful lady of Mondovì and for this reason, he decided to save the town. Every year, for Carnival, the ‘Moro’ and the ‘Bela Monregaleisa’ parade in the streets of Mondovì followed by their court of musicians and ladies in waiting. 

• What is a traditional dish of your city? 

Mondovì is near the site of the University of Gastronomic Sciences, the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement. Typical dishes are ravioli al plin, bagna cauda, vitello tonnato, and raw meat with white truffle. There is a specific treat for Mondovì: “Monregalesi al rhum,” – chocolate candies filled with rhum. Delicious!  

Through the words of Barbara, you already get some interesting facts about Mondovì. But you can get more, going there and having the whole experience by yourself or with your family.   

Because we believe that language, travel, and social and cultural gatherings are the core of our experiential learning programs, you can’t miss the opportunity to go through realities like Mondovì.