Traditions

Italy is well known as a country rich in traditions and culture which is appropriately reflected in the smaller towns. Often these traditions are very deeply rooted so that even today it is easy to find many of the ancient cultural traits. In Scontrone, traditions have been handed down generation after generation through the centuries.

It is difficult to describe them all and it is difficult to appreciate the ones which are more significant and profound. However, there is a desire to remember the past and ultimately to rediscover the past. It is most likely motivated by a desire to better understand the present.

Pilgrimage to the Madonna of Canneto

In the Village of Scontrone there is a religious tradition which has been repeated for many years. It is called the Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Canetto. The pilgrims gather in Villa Scontrone's public square around 2:00 in the morning on August 20th. They are equipped with torches, mountain gear, and food to make the journey to the sanctuary. They depart in the middle of the night and travel through the forest aided by the torchlight. At about 6:00 in the morning they exit the forest and proceed to the foot of Mount Meta where every year they perform the ritual known as “cumparizia.”

Along the way the pilgrims stop for a bite of sandwiches etc. They usually arrive at the foot of Mount Meta at 9:00 in the morning. They make a number of turns around the sanctuary and after they pay all the customary respects to the Madonna the entire group assembles to pass the night in sleeping bags and tents. After they have participated in one of the various masses which are celebrated during the day, they refresh themselves in the evening with meat roasts, good wine, music and joy.

The following morning they depart at a convenient hour but not before they have a chance to make a few more trips around the Sanctuary and offer the proper respects. They return to town at 6:00 in the evening on August 22 carrying the image of the Madonna with them. At the entrace of Villa Scontrone, the pilgrims are given a warm welcome home by local villagers. They celebrate a mass and all the participants return home for a well-deserved rest.

How the Petrocelli/Melone Family Cans Tomatoes

It is common knowledge that Italians are great pasta eaters. Instead of buying their tomatoes already canned, many Scontrone and Villa Scontrone dwellers bottle their own tomatoes for when it comes time to making their highly coveted sauces. Below is the process the Petrocelli/Melone family use to preserve tomatoes for later use. Click the photo to see the process step by step.

Polenta with Tomato Sauce Recipe

Today it is a typical plate, but for many years after the end of the second world war it was the principal daily pasta dish. In the Scontronese dialect polenta is called “Rü Mac.”

(Feeds about 15 very hungry people)

POLENTA
Ingredients: 5.5 quarts of water, 5 tablespoons of salt, 4.4 lbs. polenta
Procedure: Boil water (about a half a quart per person). As soon as the water starts to boil add the salt and the polenta by sprinkling it into the boiling water until it hardens to the taste.

THE TOMATO SAUCE
Ingredients:

• 1/4 quart of oil
• 1 onion
• 1 lb. of bacon
• 1 lb. of sausage
• 2 good-looking, large peppers
• 7.5 cups of tomato sauce
• 1/2 lb of mushrooms (optional)
• 2.25 lb. of wild boar (May use veal chopped into little bits)

Procedure: Mix all the ingredients in a pan. When they are browned, season with salt and a pinch of pepper, add the tomato sauce and cover with water, boil until it thickens.

POLENTA "IN BIANCO" (PLAIN)
Follow the same procedure without tomatoes and peppers.

Put the polenta in plates and season with the sauces adding freshly grated cheese.

Giacomina's Wild Boar Stew

This is a special plate of Giacomina Melone. The wild boar is an animal found in the uninhabited regions around Scontrone.

(Feeds 4–6 people with seconds)

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ pounds of wild boar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 ounce of butter
• 1/2 onion
• 1 yellow carrot
• 1 stick of celery
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 3 leaves of sage
• 2 leaves of laurel
• 1 cup of mushrooms
• 6 green olives or black or mixed (more are optional)
• 6 juniper berries
• 1/2 a pepperoncino (optional)
• A few grains of green pepper

Procedure: Lightly fry the oil, butter, onion, carrot, celery, sage, and rosemary. Afterwards add the wild boar chopped up into small pieces and begin to cook them. Separately make a broth with one bullion cube and when it is fully disolved add the broth to the stew a little at a time. When is is just over halfway cooked add them mushrooms, olives, berries, pepper, peperoncino and adjust the salt after tasting. Serve in a stew and enjoy!

Festa di San Giovanni & Paolo (Festival of Saint John and Saint Paul)

Festival Dates: June 26-27 - No matter how far Scontone looks back, the town’s patron saint festival has occurred on June 26th. The patron saints of the little town are St. John and St. Paul who lived in the third century after Christ and were martyrized in Rome under Giuliano the Apostate. The uniqueness of this celebration from other traditional and civil ceremonies is the presence of the Society of Workers for Mutual Assistance which was founded in Chicago in 1893 and has the goal to help humanity and society.

On June 27th they commemorate the deceased of the community as a sign of the profound relationship to those who have passed on from those who have formed the modern society.

Festa della Madonna del Carmine (Festival of the Madonna of Carmine)

Festival Dates: July 15-16 - The Madonna of Carmine is the patron saint of Villa Scontrone. The feast in honor of the Madonna of Carmine begins July 15th at 8:00am with the traditional fireworks and with music from the band which marches through the streets of the town. After the traditional mass there is a procession with the statue of the Madonna. After the procession, there is a spectacular fireworks display in the afternoon followed by marching band music. Then the people prepare for the events of the evening which consists of more live music and festivities in the principal square.

Festa della Madonna della Neve (Festival of the Madonna of the Snow)

Festival Date: August 5 - Handed down through many generations, on the fifth of August many years ago, it snowed on this date, and so started the Festival of the Madonna of the Snow.

During the afternoon the villagers celebrate a mass in the small church at the cemetery where there is a statue of the Madonna of the Snow. Many accompany the music of the large band and sometimes there are fireworks.

In the evening in Scontrone, the people make traditional offerings in honor of the dead. Then they dine on lasagna with beans, a typical Scontrone dish. To liven up the evening the musicians put on a show in the square.

Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate (Festival of Saint Anthony Abate)

Festival Date: January 17 - On the evening of January 17th the Festival of St. Anthony Abate is celebrated. He was the protector of the animals. For this celebration the people assemble in the square of Villa Scontrone to a great fire, and the blessing of the animals.

The ritual, which is easy to understand, has passed with great importance, because it was fundamental that the animals should be protected. The protection of the animals was necessary for the security of income, food and to sustain the family. Today the celebration has become solely a remembrance but it still has its fascination. Since it takes place at a colder time of the year, it is a magical atmosphere in which there is a great fire surrounded with lots of animals. Mostly the festival is for the children.

In addition to the fire in the entrance of the main square, there are fires in all of the squares of Scontrone. During the evening, as is the custom, they finish with “taralucci and wine,” followed by roasted sausage, bacon, bruschette and sip on the beloved good wines! Good health to all!