Italian April's Fool Day : Pesce d’ Aprile

In Italy, just like much of the rest of the world, April 1^st is customarily a day of practical jokes, pranks, and silliness. The origin of this custom is not well known, however there are many stories about it, one thing is certain: a lot buffoonery takes place.

In Italy this day is called “Pesce d’ Aprile”, which literally means “April’s Fish”. The name comes from a common joke amongst friends which involves attaching a small paper cut out fish on the back of someone’s shoulder.

The more sophisticated pranks are ones that involve false communiqués, such as the one from the Ministry of Interior in Italy which involved a communication about Aliens invading Italy and told everybody to stay at home. Another example happened when someone spread the rumour that money was being given out: “Today we’re gonna distribute money at this address…. At this time…. Join in everybody! All welcome!” .

Another funny prank in Italy was when Google on 1^st of April 2013 announced Google Olezzo (“Google Stench”), a program that would have permitted people to smell odours from every corner of the world by sniffing their computer screen.  Google also did pranks in previous years, for example the treasure hunt on Google Maps.

Don’t miss out on the culinary opportunity, there’s even a recipe for Ravioli al Pesce d' Aprile to celebrate this day!Here there’s the recipe:

Ingredients (for 6 people): 

• Parsley

• Milk

• 2 slices of sandwich loaf

• 400 gr. of egg pasta dough

• Chilli

• Butter

• Parmesan

• Chives (or fresh onion)

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Salt

• 1 clove of garlic

Method

In a skillet brown the garlic with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil. Add the fish pieces and cook on medium heat for a few minutes. Soak the sandwich loaf into milk, squeeze it, add it to the chopped fish and add the chopped garlic and parsley. Season with salt and make the dough. Roll out the dough and then make ravioli of the size of your choice. In one of the raviolis place a red chilli (to be served to the person you would like to play an April Fool’s joke on). Drain and season with butter, chives and parmesan.

Enjoy and remember to check our website for more Italian recipes !

photo credit: ghirson via photopin cc