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
Shrimp Dip
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Shrimp co*cktail
Smoked Salmon Dip
Lemony Garlic Shrimp
Soups and Salads
Lobster Bisque
Clam Chowder
Fish and Chips Salad
Main Courses
Surf and Turf
Baked Salmon
Grilled Lobster Tails
Seared Scallops
Foil-Packet Shrimp Pasta
Sheet Pan Salmon Puttanesca
Sea Bass with Lemon-Garlic Butter
Side Dishes
Creamed Spinach
Herb Focaccia
Stuffed Artichokes with Anchovy
Slow Cooker Green Beans
Parmesan Steak Fries
Eggplant Caponata
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).
FAQs
The key to committing to cook seven different kinds of seafood is spreading out the dishes throughout the meal; instead of preparing seven whole fish for what would be an excessively large main course spread, offer perhaps three small appetizers, a soup, pasta, then entrée plus a side salad, each with seafood as the ...
What are the original 7 fishes Christmas Eve? ›
Typical "fishes" include baccalà (salt cod), frutti di mare (shellfish), capitone (eel), calamari (squid), scungilli (conch meat) and vongole (clams). Fried vegetables are also a popular accompaniment to the fish; expect fried artichokes, pickled vegetables, fried squash blossoms, and other treats.
What is the meaning of the seven fishes? ›
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.
Why do Catholics eat 7 fishes? ›
The significance of the seven fishes has a number of symbolic representations: the number of sacraments, the seven days of creation, the seven virtues, the seven deadly sins and the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem before baby Jesus was born.
How do you host a feast? ›
How to host a feast
- Decide how big you'd like to go. Small: invite a few families to your home. ...
- Choose your feast. Although we've said 'feast' – this could be anything! ...
- Pick a time and place. ...
- Invite people. ...
- Plan your feast. ...
- Get people involved. ...
- Think about who's coming. ...
- Order your free activity placemats.
Although it is unclear when the dinner became so popular, this celebration is considered one of the most Italian traditions. Typically, the family gathers around a feast of seven different seafood dishes or one or two different types of fish prepared in seven different ways.
Why do Catholics not eat fish on Christmas Eve? ›
The Catholic Church specifies the days on which meat is to be avoided (seafood doesn't count as meat), but it doesn't include the day before Christmas (unless it falls on a Friday).
What do Italians eat on Christmas Day? ›
In Southern and Central Italy, baked pasta is a must. In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. Next comes the main event, the meat. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating.
Why can't you eat meat on Christmas Eve? ›
For a long time, Christians were supposed to refrain from eating meat until the midnight mass. It's no longer required by religious authorities to not eat meat on Christmas Eve, but the tradition has continued nonetheless.
Do Sicilians celebrate the feast of seven fishes? ›
Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as La Vigilia (The Vigil), is a Sicilian-American traditional dinner on Christmas Eve. Like many Italian traditions, the origin and rules are debated.
The Greek word for fish, "Ichthys," also served as an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." The biblical meaning of fish represents faith, God's creative power, and Jesus' teachings, and carries significant symbolism in the Christian faith.
How to host Feast of the Seven Fishes? ›
The Main Courses
Go for rich, indulgent dishes that are true showstoppers. If your local fishmonger has eel, bake it for an authentic celebration. Any seafood goes, says Nicole: “From fillet of sole to baked scallops to shrimp scampi—even king crab legs.”
What is the setting of Feast of the Seven Fishes? ›
Feast of the Seven Fishes is a romantic comedy set in a rust-belt town on the banks of the Monongahela River in 1983.
What is Rao's Feast of the Seven Fishes? ›
CAESARS PALACE — Rao's has a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu with a variety of à la carte seafood specials from chef de cuisine Fatimah Madyun including: Rao's seafood tower featuring one pound of Maine lobster tail split, three snow crab claws, shrimp, calamari, and more; baked clams; grilled octopus; linguini and ...
How do you serve fish to guests? ›
Place three slices of lemon on each of the parchment and top with fish. Season fish with salt and pepper and divide the dill, cilantro, tomatoes, and green onion evenly among the parchment. Drizzle each parchment with half of the wine, olive oil, and lemon juice and fold up edges to a tight package.
What is a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner? ›
Fish provides the main dish of the Christmas Eve feast across Poland. There are variations of carp fillet, carp in aspic, gefilte fish (Jewish-style carp), sweet with onions, carrots, almonds and raisins. Accompaniments consist of cabbage, cooked red or sauerkraut with apple salad.
What religion is the Feast of the Seven Fishes? ›
The ancient tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic custom of abstinence from meat and dairy products on the eve of certain holidays, including Christmas.
What is a traditional Italian Christmas dinner menu? ›
In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. Next comes the main event, the meat. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating.
