St. Joseph Altars

About this book

The acclaimed New Orleans photographer captures the celebration of St. Josephs Day through images and traditional Sicilian recipes. According to legend Saint Joseph sent rain to save the people of Sicily from drought during the Middle Ages. To thank their patron saint Sicilians made offerings of their finest crops to feed the poora display of food and faith that continues today. This beautiful custom La Tavola di San Giuseppe came to America as immigrants formed what is still the largest Sicilian population in the United States in New Orleans Louisiana. In 120 color photographs Kerri McCaffety shows a sparkling array of Saint Joseph altars where flowers candles and photographs of lost loved ones crowd around statues of saints on three-tiered shrines piled with biscotti pane cuccidati frittate and pignolatti. In addition to describing the spiritual symbolism of these foods McCafferty includes recipes for the most important dishes including a cannoli recipe from Emeril Lagasse. Nineteen recipes contributed by local Saint Joseph aficionadosfrom a Sicilian grandmother to New Orleans most famous chefinclude traditional Italian cookies and sweets baked fish and bread believed to have the power to calm a storm.