The word of the week is topical: veglione. This is the period of waiting up (from vegliare) before midnight on the last day of the year (San Silvestro). It is accompanied by festivities, often quite costly, including copious libations, dressing to the nines, enforced cheerfulness, and sometimes something called the cenone, literally, big dinner. Although most have already had a cenone for Christmas. At home, Italians will often regrettably serve cotechino or zampone with lentils (in picture) which is supposed to bring good luck. I think I'll stay right here in Boston where we believe scallops and lobster bring good luck.My post on Italian New Year's traditions is here.
