The race to the stove takes off: Italians spend almost three hours (2.8) in the kitchen to prepare the Christmas tables that over nine out of ten (91%) have chosen to spend at home, or with relatives or friends .

The figure emerges from a Coldiretti/Ixè analysis according to which only 9% chose to spend Christmas day at a restaurant or agritourism.

Among those who take care of lunch, 89% prepare it themselves. A return to do-it-yourself driven by various reasons, with many young people who see cooking as a leisure, relaxation and personal affirmation activity. 6% have decided to order everything to take away, while the remaining 5% rely on the dishes brought by relatives or friends.

The fear of the resumption of infections and the spread of the Australian flu does not hold back the desire for a return to the sociality of the holidays, evidenced by the fact that the average number of people at the table this year rises to eight , one more than last year and a good four more than at Christmas 2020, when the lockdown and restrictive measures had imposed limits on hospitality and attendance.

The average expenditure for Christmas at the table is 106 euros per family, only 6% less than for the 2021 holidays . Sparkling wine is confirmed as the inevitable product for over eight out of ten Italians (84%) together with local seasonal fruit (90%), while panettone with 78% beats pandoro by far in preferences, still at 74%. 51% also choose traditional local desserts.

The tables are also enriched above all with the typical regional products of the anniversary and the most popular, in Sardinia the pabassinas with sa sapa . Territorial and economic differences divide Italians in terms of spending but the choices at the table help bring them together: 92% bought mainly Italian products for the holidays, between 53% who did so above all because they are tastier and 39% who see as a priority to support the economy and work of one's own country .

(Unioneonline/L)