Chatting Books Online Day 256. On this day of Thanksgiving it is only appropriate that today's recommended book is one all about giving Thanks. "St. Joseph Altars" by Kerri McCaffety is a book I found while looking through a stack of books at my Mother's house, and appropriately so, my mother is Sicilian and has for years talked of plans to one day host our own St Joseph Altar. I decided right then and there to order copies of the book for myself and for the bookshop and to make sure that it happens .
The book is filled with explanations of the traditions and history of St Joseph Altars both in New Orleans and abroad. It also contains lots of pictures and even recipes for the foods traditionally included in a tableau and feast. Including all the wonderful baked goods like fig cookies (Cuccidati) and Anise cookies, and ciabatta , it even has Emeril Lagasse's Cannoli recipe and several recipe's from Irene DiPietro of Irene's Cuisine. One of the pictures was particularly nostalgic for me. It was a photo of a stack of paper plates filled with Cuccidati and covered with saran wrap, it could have been a picture taken of the stack my Nonna would walk in with each Christmas morning. We have carried on her cookie tradition but have been putting them in tins. It took this picture to bring back the memory of Nonna’s plates.
I am incredibly thankful for my Mother and for the traditions in which I was raised. I look forward to adding our own St Joseph Altar to those traditions with the guidance, ideas, and recipes put forth in this book
The book is hardcover and sells for $24.95 a copy.
The shop is closed today in celebration of all for which we are Thankful. Thank you for being part of our bookstore world. It is with great gratitude for you : our friends, and readers that we give thanks today.
