The Feast of the Seven Fishes is the annual Christmas Eve vigil and epic seafood feast that has grown into the most beloved meal of the year in Italian-American households. Steeped in tradition, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is the centerpiece meal of the entire holiday season.
What is seven fish dinner on Christmas Eve?
What Is the Feast of Seven Fishes? In Italian-American households, the Feast of the Seven Fishes (also known as Festa dei Sette Pesci or La Vigilia) is celebrated on December 24. This Christmas Eve celebration kicks off the holiday festivities with a huge dinner consisting of seven courses of fish and seafood.
Who started the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve?
The tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve comes from the Roman Catholic practice of not eating dairy or meat on the eve of some holidays, including Christmas. And the number seven is a symbol that’s repeated many times throughout the Bible – and in Catholicism, there are seven sacraments and deadly sins.
What is the history of the Seven Fishes?
The tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes stems from 20th-century Italian-American immigrants who—homesick for the land they left behind—combined classic Italian dishes with seafood. The sea was a representation of the connection between their home country and new one.
What is the 7 fish Italian tradition? – Related Questions
What is a traditional Christmas Eve meal?
Serving ham as a Christmas Eve dinner rather than a Christmas dinner can either act a preview for what’s to come, or pave the way for chicken, turkey or roast the next day. The distinctly winter flavors of apple, maple, cinnamon and ginger will have the house smelling like the holidays just before they start.
What is the traditional dish for Christmas Eve?
One of the more popular Christmas Eve dishes is fish, particularly fish pie. “This is a Catholic tradition related to the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Some Catholics still include seven different fishes in the meal – not difficult if you’re making a pie,” says Brown.
What is the traditional Christmas Eve Italian dinner?
In Italy, Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally lighter with no meat and a lot of seafood, while the Italian-American meal has evolved into much more of a feast. Bring on the sword fish, tuna, salmon, octopus salad, smelts, calamari, spaghetti with clam sauce and the famous Italian classic—salted cod, known as baccalà.
How do you cook 7 fishes on Christmas Eve?
Pro Chefs Make Their Favorite Sandwiches
- First Course: Something Snacky.
- Second Course: A Bracing, Light Salad.
- Third Course: Something Hearty, Grilled, Seared, and ‘Meaty’
- Fourth Course: Pasta!
- Fifth Course: A Hearty Seafood Stew.
- Sixth Course: The Palate Cleanser.
- Seventh Course: Cookies, Cannoli, or a Light(ish) Dessert.
What religion eats fish on Christmas Eve?
The eating of fish on Christmas Eve is a Catholic tradition. Catholics were expected to abstain from eating meat or products derived from animals such as butter or dairy on Fridays and holy days.
Can Catholics eat meat on Christmas Eve?
While most believe it to be a religious obligation, giving up meat on Christmas Eve is actually more a popular custom. 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).
Why does Italy not eat meat on Christmas Eve?
Catholic tradition prohibits the consumption of meat on the evenings before religious holidays. Most Italians, therefore, eat a fishy feast on Christmas Eve, one so abundant that the lack of animal flesh is hardly noticed.
What do Italians not eat on Christmas Eve?
According to tradition, the meal for Christmas Eve, La Vigilia, doesn’t have any meat. It’s all fish and vegetables. That’s in keeping with most meals served on the eve before a religious festival in Italy: You’re supposed to have a giorno di magro, eating lean to help purify your body for the holiday.
Which fish is traditional at Christmas?
Fish is the star of this meal, especially carp, which is thought to bring good luck. The fish is traditionally fried in breadcrumbs and then baked. Herring fillets and pickled herring rollmops are also popular choices.
Why do Europeans eat fish on Christmas Eve?
According to most, this traditions dates back to the Middle Ages. “Fish became popular for Christmas Eve dinner during the 13th century, because Catholics considered fish as a fasting good and Christmas Eve was the last day of the Advent fast”, Slovak resident Jozefina Babicova told Culture Trip.
Why do Polish people not eat meat on the 24th of December?
On the table there are 12 dishes – they are meant to give you good luck for the next 12 months. The meal is traditionally meat free, this is to remember the animals who took take of the baby Jesus in the manger. Everyone has to eat or at least try some of each dish.
What do German eat on Christmas Eve?
A German Christmas Eve
This culinary tradition continues today in many families, even if no church going is involved, with carp, salmon or hake often taking centre stage at the table, accompanied by fried potatoes or Kartoffelpuffer (potato fritters) and Sauerkraut.
What do the Swedish eat on Christmas Eve?
The Main Meal Is Served Buffet-style
You may be familiar with the Swedish concept of smorgasbord, and on Christmas Eve Swedes celebrate with a julbord. Fish features heavily (smoked salmon, pickled herring and lye-fish), plus ham, sausages, ribs, cabbage, potatoes and of course, meatballs.
What do Poland eat on Christmas Eve?
The Wigilia supper
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 is the most popular Christmas dessert?
While cheesecake is eaten in the most states around the holidays, pudding, cakes, and cookies are popular desserts, too.
What is the most eaten meal on Christmas?
Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.