Relish

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. . . ." is more than just the beginning of one of the most popular Christmas songs ever written. It's how street vendors roast them in New York and London. In Italy, they're popular in many versions, but in the weeks before Christmas, just after harvest, they're – yes, roasted on an open fire. There even are chestnut festivals.

And so it has come to pass that on Saturday, Dec. 3, a celebration called Christmas on The Hill will be roasting chestnuts over a firepit. It's part of a day of festivities in the historic neighborhood, with lots of free activities, including a sample of the chestnuts roasting on Wilson Avenue, across from St. Ambrose Church. The Hill organizers also will sell a coupon book with offers from local businesses like bakeries and restaurants, and one for a free bag of chestnuts. Some of the coupons are only good that day; some stay in effect for the rest of the month, a few even into January.

The other interesting food note is that the folks over at Oldani Brothers Sausage Co. will be offering samples of salamite, an uncured, more coarsely ground version of Genoa salami, boiled and served on a bun. A limited amount, and when they're out, they're out.

 There will be drawings for prizes along with storytelling, tours of the Hill, carriage rides and a lighting contest.  There's also a Nativity walk with a map showing creches that have been set up around the neighborhood, and the stories behind each. That will go on through Twelfth Night, Jan. 6.

But we'll be there for the chestnuts and the salamite.