St. Joseph Altars

St. Joseph Altars
Author: Kerri McCaffety
Publisher: Pelican Publishing
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2003-09-30
Genre: Photography
ISBN: 9781455612321

The acclaimed New Orleans photographer captures the celebration of St. Joseph’s Day through images and traditional Sicilian recipes. According to legend, Saint Joseph sent rain to save the people of Sicily from drought during the Middle Ages. To thank their patron saint, Sicilians made offerings of their finest crops to feed the poor—a display of food and faith that continues today. This beautiful custom, La Tavola di San Giuseppe, came to America as immigrants formed what is still the largest Sicilian population in the United States in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 120 color photographs, Kerri McCaffety shows a sparkling array of Saint Joseph altars where flowers, candles, and photographs of lost loved ones crowd around statues of saints on three-tiered shrines piled with biscotti, pane, cuccidati, frittate, and pignolatti. In addition to describing the spiritual symbolism of these foods, McCafferty includes recipes for the most important dishes, including a cannoli recipe from Emeril Lagasse. Nineteen recipes contributed by local Saint Joseph aficionados—from a Sicilian grandmother to New Orleans’ most famous chef—include traditional Italian cookies and sweets, baked fish, and bread believed to have the power to calm a storm.

A Table for Saint Joseph

A Table for Saint Joseph
Author: Mary Anne Scanlan Grasso
Publisher: WestBowPress
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2014-01-14
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 1490821821

The celebration of Saint Josephs Day dates back to the Middle Ages, when a severe famine devastated Sicily. The poor farmers prayed to God and to Saint Joseph, their patron saint, for rain. When the rains came, the crops flourished. The farmers rejoiced and gave thanks with a feast. They fed everyone, the greatest and the least, in thanksgiving. Tavola di San GiuseppeTable of Saint Josephlives on today throughout the world in homes, churches, and organizations. Viva San Giuseppe!