From Rosa to prepare the mostaccioli of Spezzano Albanese

Spezzano Albanese - In the province of Cosenza there are and are intact Albanian communities established six centuries ago. This is the case of the arbërësh community of Spezzano Albanese. Their language still spoken by the inhabitants is an idiom far from the Italian language. Until two generations ago it was still the main language of the people here.

Children still understand it and speak it among themselves actively. A strong and proud identity, rich in traditions that are best expressed on the occasion of the wedding. On the big day, confectionery sculptures called mostaccioli are prepared. Of the same recipe but smaller, they are sold in Spezzano shops. Weaves of sweet bread are adorned with marzipan and silver confetti, sweets for the wedding table have no value, if not the age-old one from which they come. Mrs. Rosa teaches us to prepare them. The kids take us around the country in search of the ingredients. In Spezzano every year there is a beauty contest in typical costume, with a very different cultural imprint, dark eyes, hazel skin and a lot of pride.