LA TRINACRIA - Sons of Sicily

S ONS
OF
S ICILY
L A T RINACRIA
A IUTO
P RESIDENT ’ S M ESSAGE
FRIVARU
— J OE Z AMBATARO
Fratelli,
I hope everyone’s new year is off to a healthy and prosperous start. As for the SOS, we had a great turn out
at our last meeting, and enjoyed a great meal. Our
crab feeds are selling out quickly, and should the price
of crabs stay reasonable, we should have a very prosperous start to the year as well.
I’m very pleased to report that the new roster books will be available this month.
As I know many of you are well aware, it’s been several years since the last update.
It is simply not a fun task to pull all the data together, track all the changes, and
work with the printer to get it laid out properly. This year I asked Bob Scaletta to
take this project on, and I’m sure you’ll all appreciate and be as impressed with the
results as I am. Nuddu pò sapiri di cui è amatu, quannu si trova 'ntra filici statu. A big
thanks as well to those who sponsored advertisements that helped defray much of
the printing costs.
I hope to see many of you at the crab feeds, and please don’t forget that our February meeting will be a male guest night. So please grab a couple of your friends,
especially any prospective members, and bring them along. As always, please give
Mike Maltese a call so we can make sure there is plenty of food for everyone.
Salute,
Joe
Sicilian Word
of the Month
lupu n.m. Wolf.
Si vidi un grecu e un lupu, lassa lu lupu e tira a
lu grecu.
Eng. If you see a Greek and a wolf, ignore the wolf
and shoot the Greek.
2010
C ALENDAR OF
E VENTS :
February 1
Male Guest
Night
February 20
Crab Feed
March 1
Regular Meeting
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
S ICILIAN H ISTORY
2
D ID YOU K NOW ?
2
S PONSORS
3
R ECIPE OF THE
M ONTH
4
H EALTH &
W ELFARE
5
S OCIAL E VENTS
5
L A T RINACRIA
P AGE 2
S ICILIAN H ISTORY —P ART 2
Roman Sicily (212 BC-468 AD)
“ THE ISLAND
MADE ITS NAME
AS R OME ’ S
“ BREAD
BASKET ”, SINCE
IT PROVIDED
ABOUT 1/5 OF
THE WHEAT
NECESSARY TO
THE CITY ”
Sicily became a Roman province in 227 BC. The Romans built large feudal estates and imposed taxes. It was during this period that the island made its name
as Rome’s “bread basket”, since it provided about 1/5 of the wheat necessary to
the city. Syracuse resisted against the Roman dominion, but it finally surrendered after a long and brutal assault in 211 BC. The conditions under the Romans fueled two slavery revolts that ended in bloody massacres in 131 BC and
99 BC. In spite of the continuous turmoil, Sicily managed to be one of the most
important economic drivers of the Roman supremacy in the Mediterranean. In
11 AD, Christianity spread out in the island. With the fall of the Roman Empire,
Sicily was conquered by Genserico, King of the Vandals, in 468 AD.
Arab Sicily (827-1061)
Starting in 827, Sicily became a target for frequent Arab raids. However, only
in 902 did the Arabs take total control of the island. During this period, Palermo
and its surroundings turned into a prosperous symbol of Arab Sicily. The local
aristocracy assisted the Emir through an assembly called Giama’a. Economy
and agriculture were organized in an efficient and productive way; while arts
and science were also particularly vibrant, thanks to close contact with other
Mediterranean regions such as Andalusia, Maghreb and Egypt.
Norman Sicily (1091-1190)
The Christian crusade against the Arabs began in 1061 and Roger I conquered
Sicily in 1091. In 1130 Roger II obtained the title of King of Sicily and extended his jurisdiction to Naples and Capua. Palermo became the capital. Eventually, William I and William II succeeded Roger II. William II participates in
the third crusade and gives to his aunt, Costance of Altavilla, the right to succession.
D ID Y OU K NOW ?
Mount Etna is 3346m high and is the highest active volcano in Europe. The locals
call it “u Mungibeddu” (lovely mountain) or simply “a Montagna”, to emphasize how
Mount Etna dominates the surroundings with its awe-inspiring beauty. Its presence has influenced both the territory and human activities over the centuries.
The grounds covered with lava flows appear like a desert, but in the long run lava
turns out to be an outstanding fertilizer, changing the arid soil into a verdant garden. Hence the contrasting landscapes: you may find desolate areas right next to
green spots populated by varieties of animals and plants. This outstanding variety
of flora and fauna has been safeguarded since 1987, after the establishment of Etna
Natural Park.
The volcano has always exerted a strong influence on “its” people. Its millennial
presence, constantly forcing people to cope with the danger of impending eruptions and simultaneously giving wealth and fertility, encourages a very special relationship. The locals look at the Volcano with a variety of feelings, merging love
and hate, awe and respect.
L A T RINACRIA
P AGE 3
Giovanni’s
New York Pizzeria
Pizza - Pasta - Salads - Sandwiches
1127 L AWRENCE E XPRESSWAY & L AKEHAVEN N ORTH OF 101
S UNNYVALE , CA 94089
P H : (408) 734-4221 * F AX : (408) 734-9523
H OURS : M ONDAY -S ATURDAY 11:00 AM TO 9:30 PM
L A T RINACRIA
P AGE 4
R ECIPIE OF THE M ONTH
Minni diVirgini
M INNI DI VIRGINI ,
THE CAKES THAT
HONOR S AINT
A GATHA , WERE
PROBABLY FIRST
MADE IN
CONVENTS , WHICH
WERE
INSTRUMENTAL IN
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF PASTRY IN
S ICILY .
The legend of St. Agatha combined with the Sicilian penchant for the outrageous makes
February 5th one of the most memorable religious feasts of the year. St. Agatha was a
third century martyr who died in 252 at age 15. A local magistrate named Quinctianus
tried to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her with being a Christian.
When Agatha refused, she was imprisoned in a brothel but refused to cooperate. Finally
frustrated, Quintianus had his thugs cut off her breasts.
To commemorate Agatha's unshakable religious convictions that gave her the strength to
resist such torture, Sicilians honor the patron saint of Catania with a cream-filled pastry
called Minni di Sant'Agata (St Agatha's Breasts) or Minni di Virgini (Breasts of Virgins).
th
Filling:
2½ cups of milk
6 tbs cornstarch
½ cup sugar
Piece of lemon peel
½ cup chocolate chips
8 green candied cherries (chopped)
Dissolve cornstarch in ½ cup of milk, using a whisk until there are no lumps. Combine
with the rest of the milk, sugar, and lemon peel in a saucepan.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking or burning, until a smooth
thick pudding forms.
Turn it out into a bowl, and stir it periodically while it cools.
Remove the lemon peel, and stir in the chopped cherries.
Refrigerate for two hours and fold in the chocolate chips.
Pastry:
2 cups flour
1 cup almond meal
2 eggs (beaten)
½ cup powdered sugar ¾ cup vegetable shortening
1 tsp cognac
1 tbs milk
6 red candied cherries (halved)
Sift together flour, almond meal, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Cut in shortening and then the eggs. Add milk and cognac.
Knead until elastic, form a ball, cover and refrigerate for an hour and a half.
In small quantities, roll out dough to 1/8” thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut
out twelve 4” circles and twelve 2½” circles.
Add a small amount of the filling (about 1” high) onto the larger circles, leaving a 3/4”
edge around the circle. Brush the edge with egg white.
Use a spatula to lift it into the palm of your cupped hand, add the smaller circle on top
and join the two pieces of dough.
Maintaining the mounded shape, place it with the small circle side down onto a cookie
sheet, and top with one of the halved red cherries.
Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve slightly chilled
L A T RINACRIA
P AGE 5
H EALTH AND W ELFARE —T OM E SPOSITO
It is with a saddened heart that this article comes to you.
First, fellow member Paul Porrovecchio passed away on Dec 14, 2009 at the age of 83. Paul
lived his life in Willow Glen, served in WWII and was described as a generous, friendly, caring and honest man who will be greatly missed.
Simon Ventimiglia, Sons of Sicily past member and president from 1988-89, past away in
Malibu, CA at the age of 91 on December 30, 2009. Born and lived in North San Jose, he
was a first generation American Sicilian who fought in WWII under General George Patton’s
4th armored division. Simon will be greatly missed.
(408)605-6871
Joseph Zoria, Nephew to fellow members John Zoria and Frank La Ducca, past away on Janu- [email protected]
ary 6, 2010 at the age of 46. Joe was a friendly, caring and kind hearted man who was loved
by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Murphy Sabatino, a long time member of the San Jose Italian community, the Italian Gardens and friend to the Sons of
Sicily, recently past away.
To the previously mentioned families and their friends, Our most deepest sympathies go out to you. May you find
strength in your faith, comfort in God’s love, and peace in knowing your friends are praying for you. May God watch
over you in your time of need.
Also, please say a prayer for fellow member Bob Taormina’s Grandson, Justin, who had a accident while riding his
dirt bike. We hope and pray Justin is doing well, that God keep him in his care, and we wish him all the best in his
recovery.
Finally, I’d like to say welcome back to Dino Pecoraro! He has been away for a while recovering from surgery. It was
great to see Dino at the January meeting smiling and having a good time. Dino, take care, stay well, and God bless.
Please call me at 408-605-6871 if you would like me to share “any” health and welfare information in the newsletter.
S OCIAL E VENTS —B OB
S CALETTA
The Roster book is finished and will be ready for distribution at our February 1 st meeting.
There will only be one per member (additional copies will be $10.00). I will have a check off
sheet with every members’ name and will be passing them out. If you’re not going to make the
February meeting let me know and I will try to make arrangements to get you your copy. You
can email or call me with questions. With some luck and a little help from our members this
process will ensure that each member gets an updated roster book.
Take care and God Bless
(408)448-7247
[email protected]
Sons of Sicily Board of Directors
President
Joe Zambataro - 408-559-0732
Vice-President
Mike Maltese - 408-972-4986
Secretary
Sal Falcone - 408-292-2221
Treasurer
Joe Zambataro - 408-629-1994
Financial Secretary
John Cortese - 408-238-0361
Sergeant at Arms
JamesTaormina - 408-267-7239
Membership
Vincent Falcone - 408-292-2221
Parliamentarian
Mark Taormina - 408-265-4822
Food Services
Steve Salciccia - 408-298-8700
Social Events
Bob Scaletta - 408-448-7247
Health & Welfare
Tom Esposito 408-605-6871
Advisor
Jon Taormina - 408-289-9488
N EXT M EETING — F EBRUARY 1 ST
Guest Night
Menu:
Appetizers
Bread & Butter
Pasta
BBQ Ribs
If you plan on bringing a guest, you must call
Mike Maltese—408-972-4986
Reminder
Have you paid your dues?
Sons of Sicily
Crab Feed
January 23rd &
February 20th
For Tickets Call
Mike Maltese
408-972-4986
S ONS
OF
S ICILY
P.O. Box 6856
San Jose , CA 95150-6856
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AIUTO