Chili with a magical twist of wings. I recently came across a recipe that has forever changed the way I think about chili. It's called "Chili with a magical twist of wings," and let me tell you, it lives up to its name. This chili is like no other I've ever tasted - it's spicy, flavorful, and has an unexpected ingredient that takes it to the next level. The magic in this chili comes from the addition of wings - yes, you read that right, wings! Imagine the deliciousness of buffalo wings combined with the heartiness of chili. It sounds strange, but trust me, it works.
It sounds strange, but trust me, it works. To make this chili, start by browning ground beef or turkey in a large pot. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease.
Witchcraft, Folklore, Polytheism
Hey! That’s wonderful! They’re surprisingly difficult to find any accurate information on!
My best resources are the article by Sabina Magliocco titled Witchcraft, healing, and vernacular magic in Italy, a less reliable article (that mixes witch-lore and folk magic all together) by J.B. Andrews called Neapolitan Witchcraft, and Carlo Ginzburg’s book The Night Battles about the benandanti in Friuli (Northeastern region of Italy).
If anyone knows any other sources feel free to list them!
Italian witch lore is very old, as there have been legends of witches in this region for a very long, accountable period. The word strega (witch) most likely comes from the Latin strix (screech owl) which witches were thought to take the shape of in the night. The practice of witchcraft is called stregoneria, a male witch is a stregone, and a female witch is a strega.
There are more legends of Italian witches in the south (particularly near Naples). One of the most famous is the story of the witches of Benevento, who convened beneath a walnut tree on a hill therein, and danced and worshiped the Devil. This tree was supposedly cut down.
There is a popular image of a witch who arises among Christian tradition in Italy, even still today. This witch is called Old Befana or Bella Befana(Bruta Befana, Bella Befana or Vecchia Befana) who is a good witch who lived alone in a small cottage. One day, three wise men knocked on her door. “Behold! The child of God is born, (yada yada) we’re going to find him and bring him gifts! Will you join us Old Befana?” Now, Old Befana was glad to hear the news and excited to meet the new babe and give it what gifts she could. However, she was not one to shuck her responsibilities so she said she would have to wait until her chores were completed. They agreed and she saw them off, before finishing her cleaning. Once her duties were completed, she packed up her presents for the babe, hopped promptly onto the broom she had just finished sweeping with, and flew out the chimney into the cold night. However, they had not told her how to find them again! Not wanting to deny the boy his gifts, she decided to give some to all the little children she passed on her way, as any might be the new born child of God. Every year on that same night, Old Befana rides out on her broom and deposits gifts for little children, in hopes that one day she will finally find the baby Jesus and give him the presents she has been holding all this time.
In southern Italy, many of the tales of witches (streghe) and folk healers (fattucchiere, or ‘fixers’) tell of the songs they sing to work their magic. Unfortunately, this seems to be all anyone knows on the subject, and I can’t find any references or information on these songs!
In lore, the witches of both benevolent and malefic natures are closely related or interchangeable with more faerie-like spirits. The Janare of Naples/Janas of Sardinia (lit. followers of Diana) are magical women said to live in Neolithic shaft tombs and are expert weavers and spinners. They sometimes intermarry with humans, but are very different from the cogas (or little cooks) of Sardinia, who are malefic witches that cook and eat their victims.
Most folk magic in Italy has died out, even in many of the rural areas. What is documented and what remains is all, unsurprisingly, Catholic magic. Much of it draws to saints, prayers, and Catholic holy tools. One name for this form of magic is benedicaria. However, much of it seems more agricultural or magical and less religious in nature. There is no point assuming this other source is pagan, because we could never prove where almost of any of it originated.
Most witchcraft you will find today in Italy, especially in urbanized areas, is of a New Age or Neo-pagan persuasion. Neo-Wicca is about the best you can hope to find, and even that is comparatively rare to that found in Great Britain, Australia, and the U.S.
In conversations about Italian magic and witchcraft, Raven Grimassi’s book Italian Witchcraft tends to come up. THIS BOOK IS UTTER BULLSHIT. HOGWASH. STUFF AND NONSENSE. It’s almost literally just Neo-Wicca with different names and some made up information. I’m not exaggerating. If you have this book, it’s better off as kindling than on your bookshelf. Just saying.
Charles Leland’s book Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches is a pretty piece of poetry, and perhaps has some truths in it, but it can never be relied upon. His source is not credible, and the information doesn’t add up well. It is a beautiful book, but not an accurate account of Italian magic or witchcraft.
Here are a few blog posts I have made relating to Italian witchcraft and folk magic:
My grandmother wasn’t a warm woman. She had seven children and dozens of grandchildren — and she brutally picked favorites. The fear of God led her to judgment and cruelty in many ways, and we were not close for many reasons. As a child, she didn’t hold me in her lap or stroke my hair or care for me. She visited, we made dishes and dishes of food, she told me I was too skinny, and she sent me scapulars and bottles of holy water. She also warned me about the Devil and told me ghost stories. They were violent and strange and they haunt me today — the man who killed himself in her basement. The child swinging on a chandelier. The old woman dressed in black who came in and out of the house.
Next, add in diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant. Now comes the magical twist - chop up some precooked buffalo wings into bite-sized pieces and add them to the pot. The wings add a rich depth of flavor and a hint of heat to the chili. In terms of spices, this chili includes the usual suspects - chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a touch of cayenne pepper for added heat. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking. To finish off the chili, pour in a can of crushed tomatoes and some chicken broth. Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. When serving, make sure to top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and some shredded cheese. The creaminess of the sour cream pairs perfectly with the spiciness of the chili. I can't stress enough how amazing this chili is. The combination of flavors and the unexpected twist of wings elevate it to a whole new level. Whether you're hosting a game day party or just looking for a cozy meal on a cold day, this chili is sure to impress. So, next time you're craving chili, give it a magical twist with some wings. You won't be disappointed..
Reviews for "Unconventional and delicious: chili with a winged twist"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the chili with a magical twist of wings. The chili lacked flavor and the chicken wings were dry and overcooked. I was expecting some sort of magical element to enhance the dish, but it was just a regular chili recipe with nothing special. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and flavorful chili experience.
- John - 1 star - I had high hopes for the chili with a magical twist of wings, but it fell completely flat. The concept sounded intriguing, but the execution was poor. The chili was watery and lacked any depth of flavor, and the chicken wings were extremely greasy. It felt like a cheap attempt to create a unique dish but ended up being a total letdown. I won't be ordering it again.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I'm sad to say that the chili with a magical twist of wings didn't live up to my expectations. The magical twist was barely noticeable, and the chili itself was mediocre. The chicken wings were dry and the overall dish lacked seasoning. I was hoping for a flavorful and unique chili experience, but this fell short. I would recommend looking for other options if you're craving a truly magical chili.
- Tom - 1 star - I couldn't understand the hype around the chili with a magical twist of wings. The flavors were completely underwhelming and there was nothing magical about it. The chicken wings were overcooked and lacked any moisture, and the chili itself tasted bland. I regret ordering it and will not be giving it a second chance. Don't waste your time and money on this mediocre dish.