What is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition celebrating family, food, and faith through seafood dishes. Rooted in Italian Catholic customs, this feast is observed on December 24th as a vigil before Christmas Day. Families gather to prepare a spread of seven or more seafood dishes, showcasing different fish and shellfish like cod, shrimp, clams, and calamari. Over time, this holiday meal has become a cherished way for Italian-American families to honor their heritage while bringing loved ones together.
History of the Feast of the Seven Fishes
The history of the Feast of the Seven Fishes is closely tied to Italian and Italian-American cultural traditions, particularly in Roman Catholic practices. In Italy, it is traditional to observe "La Vigilia" (The Vigil) on Christmas Eve, abstaining from meat as an act of penance and reflection. Instead, families would enjoy a meal of fish and other seafood, often served in multiple courses. However, the specific tradition of a "seven" fish feast appears to be more prominent among Italian-American families than in Italy, where families may celebrate with any number of seafood dishes.
The tradition became popularized in the United States in the early 20th century, as Italian immigrants brought their customs to American shores, adapting and expanding them. The number seven symbolizes various Catholic references, such as the seven sacraments, seven days of creation, or the seven virtues.
Feast of the Seven Fishes Menu
The Feast of the Seven Fishes menu typically features a variety of seafood dishes, each offering a different preparation and flavor.
Baccalà (Salted Cod): Often served as the feast's centerpiece, baccalà is a salted and dried cod rehydrated and cooked in various ways, such as in a tomato sauce or fried.
Fried Calamari: Crispy, battered squid, often served with a squeeze of lemon or a marinara dipping sauce.
Shrimp Scampi: Shrimp sautéed in a garlic, butter, and white wine sauce, often served over pasta or with bread for dipping.
Clams Oreganata: Clams are topped with breadcrumbs, garlic, oregano, and olive oil and then baked to perfection.
Lobster or Crab: Lobster may be served boiled with butter or used in a more elaborate dish, like lobster ravioli. Crab is sometimes served as a side or in a pasta dish.
Anchovies: These small, oily fish can be served in various forms, such as marinated, fried, or incorporated into a pasta dish.
Mussels: Mussels are often steamed in white wine, garlic, and herbs and sometimes served in a tomato-based sauce or with pasta.
Additional dishes might include other seafood, such as squid ink pasta, octopus salad, or seafood risotto, depending on personal or regional preferences. Crusty bread, salads, and desserts like panettone or cannoli often accompany the feast.
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