As the years pass, memories begin to fade. However, one salient memory that many Italians share is Sunday dinner. Sunday dinner means sitting around the table with family members, enjoying a delicious meal, and appreciating each other’s presence.
Many people have very hectic schedules and often fail to stop and enjoy the moment. Therefore, Sunday is the perfect time to enjoy life. Sunday dinner became so important for Italian-American Americans due to the discrimination they faced when immigrating to America. They realized that they needed a support system and a time to bond. Sunday was the most ideal day to get together since many Italian fathers worked strenuously 6 days a week. Although families eat different meals on Sunday, many enjoy pasta, bracciole, eggplant parmigiana, arancini, meatballs, antipasto, and fresh bread.
Nevertheless, Sunday dinner goes beyond the delicious food. There are actually studies that show the importance of eating dinner together as a family. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, kids who regularly enjoyed family meals were less likely to fall into drug use. Research suggests that when families eat dinner together, they feel a strong bond. Sunday is a perfect time for the family to reconnect and allows children to notice the support system they have.
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I am of Norwegian and Hungarian descent. Nonetheless, growing up, we kids were expected to be at the dinner table most days; Sunday especially.
Sunday dinner was so much a tradition that we carry it on to this day. I am fifty-seven years old now but it keeps me grounded in my traditions.