Everyone has their own Christmas traditions—especially when it comes to the food. Some people cook up a Christmas ham as the main course, while others (like Ree Drummond) focus on making a show-stopping prime rib. But if you're Italian-American, you might recognize the time-honored tradition of making a Feast of the Seven Fishes!
But what exactly is this big, elaborate meal? The Italian Christmas dinner is celebrated with not one, not two, but—you guessed it—seven different fish courses. Read on for more on how can you host the fish-centric meal in your own home.
But first, we're taking a deep dive into the history behind the Feast of the Seven Fishes and how it got its Italian-American roots. It all stems from the Roman Catholic Church where it’s customary to eat fish (and abstain from meat) on the eve of feast days. But here's the thing, you don’t need to be Italian to make your own Feast of the Seven Fishes. Anyone can participate in the tradition by adding seafood to their Christmas Eve dinner menu. Read on for everything you need to know about this holiday feast, including tips, recipes, and more!
Where did the Feast of the Seven Fishes originate?
The origins are a bit murky: It's thought to have started in Sicily, where fish is abundant. Along with the custom of avoiding meat before a holy holiday, this special dinner (also known as La Vigilia) became popular in the United States when many southern Italians were immigrating to the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Do they celebrate the seven fishes in Italy?
While many people in Italy enjoy a big meatless Christmas Eve dinner, the feast of the seven fishes is mostly an American tradition. In fact, many Italians have never even heard of the feast!
Of course, anyone who loves seafood can try it out! Simply, pick and choose a few of the recipes below to add to your holiday table.
What is the significance of the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
There's no real consensus on what the seven fishes signify—some people claim the number seven symbolizes the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church while others say it's meant to represent the seven days of the week or the seven hills of Rome. In fact, there are even families who choose to go all out with 12 fishes (in honor of the 12 apostles). Either way, the tradition of preparing a feast of the sea was considered a way for Italian-American immigrants to reconnect to their home country.
In deciding which fishes are served, that's really up to you! Some of the most traditional dishes include stuffed clams, cold seafood salads, shrimp scampi, stuffed calamari, fritto misto (fried seafood and vegetables), mussels marinara, baccalà (salt cod) and many more!
How do you prepare a Feast of the Seven Fishes?
So, you want to prepare a Feast of the Seven Fishes this year. We applaud you! Whether or not you grew up eating fish on Christmas Eve, your family will surely be impressed that you gave it a try! Luckily, there are no set rules for which types of fish to serve so the menu can vary depending on your preferences. If you want to include seven different fishes, we suggest spreading it out throughout the feast—from Christmas appetizers to main courses. You can also sprinkle in some non-fish dishes, like vegetable sides. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Appetizers
Soups and Salads
Main Courses
Sea Bass with Lemon-Garlic Butter
Side Dishes
Stuffed Artichokes with Anchovy
What do you serve for dessert during the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
If you still have room for a Christmas dessert after a feast like this, something light consisting of Italian classics is your best option. Try a platter of Italian Christmas cookies and biscotti. Or opt for a scoop of gelato to finish off the meal. Another classic dessert: panettone (a festive Italian Christmas bread).
