Christmas is approaching and in many European countries it’s time for Christmas markets.
Christmas markets are street markets organized during the four weeks of Advent. This tradition seems to date back at least to 1434 in 
Dresden, Germany. The first Christmas markets in Italy, instead, began to spread only towards the end of 1900.
I love Christmas markets. I mean, who doesn’t? They convey the magical Christmas atmosphere with the presence of small wooden houses, firs, lanterns, and so on. Moreover, they are a great opportunity to look for and find original hand-made gifts or culinary specialties.
Some of the most famous Italian Christmas markets are the ones organized in Trent, Bolzano, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Verona, Naples, Palermo, Lecce. However, since I prefer small Christmas markets, I usually go to see Valsesian Christmas markets. I like especially the one held in Scopello.
Let’s see what are some of the typical products you can find in Valsesian Christmas markets:
PUNCETTO
Puncetto is a traditional hand-made Valsesian lace patiently made by linking together small knots. It is done using only a needle and thread.
The origins of Puncetto are still unknown. However there are some historical documents that date Puncetto at least back to 16th century.
Indeed, it was in this period that Gaudenzio Ferrari, an Italian painter and sculptor, adorned a statue of the Virgin Mary with Puncetto.
Puncetto was originally known only to Valsesia inhabitants. However, its popularity grew during the XIXth century, when queen Margaret of Savoy struck by the beauty of this lace, decided to introduce it at her court. And very soon Puncetto spread also to France and Great Britain.
However, after World War II, the popularity of Puncetto started to decrease and nowadays it is mainly known by the inhabitants of Valsesia. These people have also created some schools in order to preserve this old and beautiful form of art.
Nowadays, at Christmas markets together with tablecloths, or doilies completely made with the art of Puncetto, you can find also a great variety of hand-made objects just adorned with Puncetto like eyeglasses cases, wallets, earrings, etc.
SCAPIN
Scapin is a traditional Valsesian footwear originally created by Walsers, the speakers of the Walser German dialects.
Walsers lived in some mountain areas in Valsesia. Due to the altitude, Winters were particularly long and cold. For this reason, they needed some warm, robust and comfortable footwears to fight cold: scapin
As in the past, nowadays Scapin are still rigorously hand-made. The only difference with respect to the past is that the material used nowadays is more valuable than the one used before: alpaca, cachemire, etc.
MIACCIA
Miaccia is a typical Valsesian food from the Walsers culinary tradition. It is a bread substitute traditionally cooked on iron truffles that are directly placed over a flame.
The batter, whose main ingredients may change from town to town, is spread over the riddles with a special spatula. Then, it’s cooked for a few minutes – 2 or 3 -, lifted off the griddle, and placed in a basket wrapped in a napkin. You can eat miaccia by filling it with local cheese, salami, prosciutto, nutella, jam, etc.
If you have the typical iron truffles and want to try to cook miaccia at home, you can do it by following this recipe.
VIN BRULE’
Vin Brulé – known as mulled wine in English speaking countries – is a hot spiced wine usually drunk during Winter.
It seems that the first recording of a similar beverage was found in Rome during the 2nd century. Due to the many Roman conquests, this beverage spread also to other countries.
Nowadays you can easily found all the spices necessary to cook Vin Brulé in supermarkets. So, if you want to cook it at home, why don’t you try this recipe?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf1LIqe7R0Y
Have you ever been to an Italian Christmas market? Did you like it?
Credits
Original photo by Peggychoucair
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