St. Joseph Altars Photography and Text

This photographic tribute displays the richcultural tradition behind New Orleansi St. Joseph altars and their deliciousdishes. While examining the spiritual significance of the altars and theaccompanying foods, author Kerri McCaffety also discusses their culturalimportance to both Sicilian Americans and the people of New Orleans.New Orleans is home to one of the largestSicilian-American populations in the United States, and the community preservesmany of its Old World traditions. During the Middle Ages, Sicily went through aperiod of severe drought. For relief, the people turned to their patron saint,St. Joseph, promising a huge banquet in his honor in return for the needed rain.The tradition evolved and now features todayis St. Joseph altars, constructed inthanks for answered prayers. Every year on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph,beautiful and elaborate altars are constructed and piled high with deliciousfood.In St. Joseph Altars , KerriMcCaffety combines historical knowledge with luscious photographs of thisSicilian tradition. She took 140 color photographs in thirty different homes toreveal the beauty and majesty of the St. Joseph altars.St. Joseph Altars is also anheirloom cookbook; it contains twenty recipes for several of the most popularSt. Joseph altar dishes. Contributed by both Sicilian grandmothers and NewOrleans chefs, these traditional recipes include ciabatta (bread),cioppino (fish stew), and various biscotti (cookies).About the AuthorKerri McCaffety is regarded as New Orleansi top photographer and is a nationally recognized talent. She is the winner of the1999 Society of American Travel Writersi Lowell Thomas Award and two of herbooks have been selected as finalists for the National Publisheris MarketingAssociationis Benjamin Franklin Awards. Ms. McCaffety is also the author ofThe Majesty of the French Quarter , The Majesty of St.Charles Avenue , and EtouffEe, Mon Amour: The GreatRestaurants of New Orleans , all published by Pelican.McCaffety, Kerri is the author of 'St. Joseph Altars Photography and Text', published 2003 under ISBN 9781589801400 and ISBN 1589801407.