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 do the 7 fishes represent?
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.
Where did the 7 Fishes tradition come from?
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.
Do they celebrate the 7 fishes in Italy?
The Feast of the Seven Fishes (AKA La Vigilia) is an Italian-American tradition in which families and friends gather on Christmas Eve to enjoy seven varied dishes of fish and seafood.
What is the 7 fishes dinner? – Related Questions
Is Feast of Seven Fishes a Catholic thing?
There is no such thing as the Feast of Seven Fishes on the Roman Catholic calendar. There never has been an official feast with this name in Italy or the United States. In fact, most sources agree that serving fish on Christmas Eve is mainly practiced by Southern Italians, when it’s practiced at all.
Why Do Catholics Eat 7 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.
Do Sicilians celebrate Feast of Seven Fishes?
Merry Christmas! For many in The States, tradition is to observe Christmas Eve with “The Feast of the Seven Fishes,” however, this is not Italian or Sicilian at all, it is an Italian-American tradition!
Who celebrates the seven fishes?
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 celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
So, what is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, exactly? This traditional dinner, celebrated on December 24 by many Italian-Americans, gets its roots from the Roman Catholic Church where it’s customary to eat fish (and abstain from meat) on the eve of feast days.
What are 3 traditions in Italy for Christmas?
Italian Christmas traditions and food: Celebrate like a local
- Prepare for a whole month of festivities.
- Start feasting on La Vigilia di Natale (Christmas Eve)
- And continue on Natale (Christmas)
- Share your Christmas spirit with zampognari.
- Look out for nativity scenes.
- Wear red underwear on New Years Eve.
What do Italians call Christmas Eve?
According to Italians, Christmas Eve or ‘La Vigilia’ is the most important day of the Christmas period. At midnight in Rome on December 24th, church bells are rung throughout the city at the same time as cannons are fired from ‘Castel Sant’Angelo’ to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.
What do Italians call Christmas?
Christmas in Italy (in Italian: Natale) begins on December 8, with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the day on which traditionally the Christmas tree is mounted and ends on January 6, of the following year with the Epiphany (in Italian: Epifania).
What is a typical Italian Christmas Eve 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.
What do Italians not eat on Christmas Eve?
Every region (or even every town!) has its own customs, but if there’s one tradition that everyone in Italy can agree on, it’s not eating meat on Christmas Eve. December 24 is the time for fish or cheese dishes to shine.
What do Italians do at midnight on Christmas?
Midnight Skiing
Given that the country is home to a portion of the Alps, it should come as no surprise that Italians love to ski. In Northern Italy, it is tradition for skiers to hit the slopes at midnight on Christmas Day, sometimes carrying torches to light their way as they ring in the holiday.
Why is there no meat on Christmas Eve in Italy?
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 do you eat after Christmas?
Christmas recovery recipes
- Pomegranate chicken with almond couscous.
- Kale & apple soup with walnuts.
- Prawn, fennel & rocket risotto.
- Mediterranean fish gratins.
- Piri-piri prawn wrap.
- Chicken, broccoli & beetroot salad with avocado pesto.
- Thai red duck with sticky pineapple rice.
- Spicy meatballs with chilli black beans.
What do you eat on Christmas Day?
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. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.