Pumpkin Orzo Risotto

Ingredienti:

1/2 onion, minced
2 tbs fresh sage (we have this spice growing in our garden at Schurz - see me to procure some!)
2 Tbs olive oil

Saute' onions and sage in olive oil.

Add 1 16oz box of ORZO (a type of small Italian pasta, available at most food stores). Saute' for five more minutes on medium flame.

Add 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth and 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree. Stir until warmed.

Add 3/4 cup of Parmesean Cheese!

Enjoy!

Halloween in Italia

1. Why do Italians leave the doors open when they set out food and go to church on All Souls Day (La festa di ognispirito)
http://www.jackolanterns.net/italianhalloween.htm

2. November 1st is the Festa di OgniSanto, and it is a holiday in Italy (no school!). What do people do on this day?
http://www.jackolanterns.net/italianhalloween.htm

3. What is 'stregheria'?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stregheria

4. Why is the Church of the Cappuccini in Palermo called a 'Human Library'
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/palermo-capuchin-catacombs.htm

5. What does this church use for decoration? CLICK ON "CRYPT"
http://www.cappucciniviaveneto.it/cappuccini_ing.html

6. Many people report seeing ghostly visions of Santa Lucia. She is commonly depicted as a young girl holding her gouged out eyes on a tray. Her husband is the one who turned her into authorities for what crime? What was her punishment?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy

Discovery Atlas: Italy

1. Play atlas quest. Write down your answers, and tell me your points total:
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/atlas/quest/quest.html

2. Click on three of the places on the map of Italy and tell me why they are special:
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/atlas/italy/explore/explore.html

3. Take this quiz. Write down your correct answers:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/gauge/

La Unione Europea

1. When was the European Community founded? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union

2. Which countries belong to the European Community?http://www.eurunion.org/states/offices.htm

3. Which countries are CANDIDATES for membership in the European Community?http://www.eurunion.org/states/offices.htm

4. Why would these European want to form an alliance? Read the quote below for a clue, but be sure to put your answer in your own words:
"The EEC had as its aim the eventual economic union of its member nations, ultimately leading to political union. It worked for the free movement of goods, service, labour and capital, the abolition of trusts and cartels, and the development of joint and reciprocal policies on labour, social welfare, agriculture, transport, and foreign trade."

5. Which city is the administrative capital of the European Union? http://www.brussels.org/

6. How many official languages does the European Community have?http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages/index_en.html

7. What is the highest denomination banknote of the EURO, the official currency of thirteen of the EU member states? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Euro_banknotes.png

8. Finally, draw the flag of the European Union. What do the 12 stars and the color blue traditionally represent? http://www.hdg.de/eurovisionen/html_eng/gg1_2.html

9. When you're done, buy a caffe' here:
http://www.cartoline.it/pics/_zoom_flash.htm?immagine=scherzi_150404_01.swf

Schurz Italian 2010-2011 hoodie!

Here is is: The BELLISSIMO winning design for our hoodie, a combo of the designs by Jessica Rodriguez and Graciela Carillo. I will be talking to the printing people this week to figure out how much our hoodies will cost and I will get back to you all next week with pricing and ordering information. GRAZIE to everybody who entered our design contest!