Ravioli Night

 Hi,

We've been home for a week now, our colds are gone and we're back into our routines. I don't know about you but when I get sick that's about all I can think about. It sort of consumes me and it's hard to function. I'm so glad to feel better again.

Our youngest daughter Diana married into a large Italian family and one of their Christmas traditions is Ravioli Night. A few days before Christmas they all get together - there were about 50 this year - and they make ravioli from scratch.

Someone makes all the dough ahead of time, then they pull out the ravioli machines and get to work. Everyone has a job, from the oldest to the youngest. Everyone is talking, there's laughter, and some even broke out into song more than once.

This little guy kept watch over the festivities

Diana and Adelaide

Peter and his Nana. Over Nana's shoulder is the 'roller' station. They use a rolling pin to sort of flatten, and cut the ravioli into individual pieces.

Once the dough is at the right thickness, it goes to the table with the molds. The molds are filled with cheese (also made ahead of time), then covered with more dough before being sent to the roller.

Nana and Grandpop - Peter's grandparents

The Patriarch and Matriarch of the family 

Sharaya and Ally filled all of the ravioli molds. For three hours people brought them the dough, they added the cheese and another layer of dough, then it went to the roller. From there they were sent to the racks in the garage.

Every job had enough helpers so I took pictures and hung out with Adelaide when she got done helping. But I was able to sit down and fill about 5 molds.

Beth helped take the leftover dough from the molds back to the table with the ravioli machines but I didn't get any pictures of her. 

I asked one of Peter's aunts how long this tradition has been going on and she said she remembers being a preschooler and helping at her grandparents house (Nana and Grandpops parents) and she is 70 now! They keep track of how many they make and this year it was over 1000! That's happened only a few times over the years. 

This is just one of three trays, or boxes actually. They cover them with baking powder (baking soda? we can't remember and it's too late to ask Diana or Peter - they're three hours ahead of us) and let them sit for a day or two. 

When the cheese is gone, they take all the leftover dough and shape it into noodles. Nothing is wasted!

When it's ready they distribute them to the families. On Christmas day our family all went to Peter's parents and we had fresh ravioli for dinner. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it but trust me it was delicious!

I've never been a part of something like this. It was quite a process, and to have that much family all working together toward one goal was amazing to see. (Thank you Sharaya for some of your pictures!)

Does your family have any long-standing traditions? Have you ever made pasta from scratch? (You may have more information on the process than I do!) If so, please tell us your story!