“Nougat” is a gross word. Like “moist”, “plump”, “fondle”, or “panties”, I hate even pronouncing it. *Bleargh* 
However, I’m going to have to tackle the word “nougat” in order to take on today’s Christmas blog post. Ah, the things I do for you guys. 
There is a very typical Italian Christmas candy called torrone. It’s basically made of honey, sugar, and egg whites to form a ….. *sigh” … nougat. (I just puked in my mouth a little bit…) Then things like hazelnuts, almonds, candied oranges, vanilla, and chocolate can be added to create different variants. 
My first experience with torrone happened back when I was young. I remember my Italian Consolazio grandparents bringing it to our house every Christmas. They brought bite-sized pieces of torrone, individually packaged in little boxes with an Italian bakery guy on ‘em, and there were flavors like classic, orange, and lemon.
One great place to pick up torrone, here in Milan, is the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Christmas market. The name of the market means “Oh So Nice! Oh So Nice!” in Milanese dialect. That’s usually where I get my torrone to bring home at Christmas. If I dared show up without any, I’m not sure if my parents would even let me in the house…
The Milan Christmas Market
Since my parents will probably read this (they better!), I’m gonna have to prove that I’ve already picked up this year’s supply. Here’s a picture of me below with the torrone I got. So, Mom & Dad, hang my stocking by the chimney with care, because I’m coming home … with nougat!
Italian Torrone – American Boy
MERRY CHRISTMAS
haha funny post! It really is an awkward word, along with “wetnap”, “Honeysuckle” and my favorite “subpoena”. But I do love some torrone!
“Honeysuckle” and “subpoena” aren’t that bad, but “wetnap” is horrendous!
wetnap is just wrong but I admit “moist” just takes the cake.. ahhhh..
Yeah, “moist” is really horrendo!
My friend, you forgot to stress that torrone is a typical product of Cremona, as my friend Andrea from Cremona (called the Torroncino) proudly states every time we talk about his town. Cremona is known as the town of the three T’s: “turòon, Turàs, tetàs”, i.e. nougat, Torrazzo (the Cremona city tower) and… big tits
I’m sure Andrea from Cremona would replace one of the T’s, but never the nougat one!
Hi Andrea from Cremona. Thank you for adding to my blog post.
And congratulations on inventing torrone! Good job!
Ignorant of the meaning of the word “wetnap”, I did a little google research, which proved really helpful. Wetnap = condom. (huhuhu) http://www.vh1.com/celebrity/bwe/images/2009/12/Wet-Nap-Condom2.jpg
(and “nougat” is a french word, and I would be very curious to know how Americans pronounce it to find it so gross)(??)
Haha! Wetnap would be like “salvietta rinfrescante” in Italian. I mean, you know it’s not really a condom, right?
The pronunciation of “nougat” in English is like “new-git” Vomit!!!!
“Git” (opens virtual dictionary) Oh. OH!
If it can be of any help: the french pronunciation of “nougat” is more like “noo-gah”… Sure more blah but hey.
I was indeed wondering the same thing, and it’s indeed much closer too noo-gah than new-git. You americans ruin everything
Just read them as you see them, ciao (chow)
Good idea! Or, like, babeztâbarbz (babes ta barbs).
Hey! We didn’t ruin rock n’ roll, baby! ;-D
‘Moist’ is a wonderful word. Makes me giggle every time!
I guess giggling is better than puking! :-O
I just thought of a few more uncomfortable sounding words.. Seepage, bulge, ointment and… smegma
You’ve successfully ruined my day with “seepage” …
hahah #success!
It looks like we can replace the coal in your Christmas stocking with something better. Can’t wait to taste this year’s assortment!
Yay! And I can’t wait to be at home to watch you make your “Umph! Groumph!” noises whilst you enjoy it!
Hope that fresh comment didn’t just cost me a gift!
Love this post too Garrett. Thank you! It’s got me wondering about any words in Italian you can’t cope with….and whether you actually eat nougat…. Comunque buon natale!
I can’t think of any “gross” Italian words at the moment and I do eat torrone. I don’t go crazy for the stuff, but just enough to be traditional.
have you bought the soft torrone or the traditional very hard one? please please warn your parents to be careful with their teeth. Torrone is notoriously dangerous for teeth!
Buon Natale!!
Thanks for your Natale wishes! E anche a te!
I got “morbido” (soft), so there should be no teeth problems!