Cucciá
Encyclopedia
Cuccìa is a traditional Sicilian
dish containing boiled wheat
berries, which is eaten on Saint Lucy
's feast day (December 13). The dish is consumed in Sicily and among Italian-Americans to commemorate the relief from a food shortage in Sicily; the appearance of wheat on the island is attributed to Saint Lucy
. According to custom, bread should not be eaten on December 13; the notion is that cuccìa should be the only source of wheat, and the primary source of nourishment for the day.
Cuccìa is prepared differently from family to family and in different regions. Some make cuccìa as soup, others as a pudding
; and, in Kansas City, Missouri
among Sicilian-Americans, cuccìa is prepared as a hot-cereal
, but most traditional preparations add sugar
, butter
and milk
. Ceci beans (chickpeas), known to Americans as garbanzo beans are also associated with the eating of cuccìa, as are almond
s and ricotta
. Also, ricotta might be found as an ingredient. The term cuccìa itself is distinctly Sicilian, not related to similarly spelled Italian words; nevertheless, cuccia owes its origins to the Arabic word of kiskiya that referenced both grain and earthenware, that held the grain, as Sicily was dominated by Arabic peoples that gave rise to many foods iconic to Sicilian cuisine.
SOURCE:
http://www.sicilianculture.com/rc/stlucy.htm
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
dish containing boiled wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
berries, which is eaten on Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy , also known as Saint Lucia, was a wealthy young Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint by Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox Christians. Her feast day in the West is 13 December; with a name derived from lux, lucis "light", she is the patron saint of those who are...
's feast day (December 13). The dish is consumed in Sicily and among Italian-Americans to commemorate the relief from a food shortage in Sicily; the appearance of wheat on the island is attributed to Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy , also known as Saint Lucia, was a wealthy young Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint by Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox Christians. Her feast day in the West is 13 December; with a name derived from lux, lucis "light", she is the patron saint of those who are...
. According to custom, bread should not be eaten on December 13; the notion is that cuccìa should be the only source of wheat, and the primary source of nourishment for the day.
Cuccìa is prepared differently from family to family and in different regions. Some make cuccìa as soup, others as a pudding
Pudding
Pudding most often refers to a dessert, but it can also be a savory dish.In the United States, pudding characteristically denotes a sweet milk-based dessert similar in consistency to egg-based custards, though it may also refer to other types such as bread and rice pudding.In the United Kingdom and...
; and, in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
among Sicilian-Americans, cuccìa is prepared as a hot-cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
, but most traditional preparations add sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
, butter
Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is generally used as a spread and a condiment, as well as in cooking applications, such as baking, sauce making, and pan frying...
and milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
. Ceci beans (chickpeas), known to Americans as garbanzo beans are also associated with the eating of cuccìa, as are almond
Almond
The almond , is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree...
s and ricotta
Ricotta
Ricotta is an Italian dairy product made from sheep milk whey left over from the production of cheese. Although typically referred to as ricotta cheese, ricotta is not properly a cheese because it is not produced by coagulation of casein...
. Also, ricotta might be found as an ingredient. The term cuccìa itself is distinctly Sicilian, not related to similarly spelled Italian words; nevertheless, cuccia owes its origins to the Arabic word of kiskiya that referenced both grain and earthenware, that held the grain, as Sicily was dominated by Arabic peoples that gave rise to many foods iconic to Sicilian cuisine.
SOURCE:
http://www.sicilianculture.com/rc/stlucy.htm