She’s president of the Marine City Chamber of Commerce
By Barb Pert Templeton
Family members gather around to take a turn at stirring the pot while creating the rustic Italian dish called Polenta alla
Spianatora.
As the Merchant family holiday dinners grow in numbers new people are introduced to the rustic but hearty Italian
dish that is a traditional Italian family stew.
When Laura Merchant starts making her family’s holiday plans one tradition jumps right to the top of her to do list.
Creating a rustic dish, known as, Polenta alla Spianatora that has been a cherished Christmas tradition in Italy for
centuries and has now been embraced by her family.
The rustic dish is traditionally shared on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day and the uniqueness of the meal lies not
only in its humble beginnings but also in the distinctive serving method.
As Merchant explains, in the past steaming polenta would be poured and spread directly onto the family’s wooden
table. A rich, slow-cooked sugo (thick, meaty tomato sauce), peas, and perhaps sausages or braised pork would then
be arranged in circles. The flavorful meat bites were a treat for children in poor farming communities. Armed with
forks, both young and old would claim their own section on the table before diving in to enjoy the variety of flavors
and textures of the meal.
This distinctive way of dining goes back to the 15th century, commemorating the introduction of corn to Italy from
the New World. Polenta alla Spianatora is to be a tribute to the recent harvest, with the circular shape symbolizing the
sun while the corn is meant to be a gift from Mother Earth herself. The ingredients adorning this sun, such as lentils,
chickpeas, pork, and chicken, have all been nurtured by the sun during the growing season.
The meal is not just a celebration of nature but also a celebration of life and family. It’s a grand feast, with an
abundant amount of polenta traditionally prepared in a copper pot resembling a contemporary wok. While today’s
approach often involves using a modern wooden cutting or pastry board, there are still restaurants in southern and
central Italy that serve this dish during the festive season.
“In my father’s Northern Italian region, Polenta was crafted over a wood fire pit, stirred with a wooden spatula in a
copper pot, and paired with stew, sausage, and cheese,” Merchant explained. “The serving style of the meal varies
across Italy’s regions, but we have embraced the tradition of my father’s homeland.”
She said Polenta has held a special place in her family since her childhood.
“As we matured and took turns hosting holiday gatherings, we collectively decided to make Polenta Christmas our
enduring tradition,” Merchant said. “Sharing this humble yet rich meal and its story has become a joyous part of our
Christmas celebrations, welcoming new family members and visitors into the fold,”
