The Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Feast of the Seven Fishes.., is a Christmas Eve Italian-American feast of seven different fish.., that commemorates the wait for Santa (for the kids) -- and of course, the baby Jesus. In Southern Italy (can you say Sicily), it is just known as "The Vigil" (La Vigilia). And there is no representation of the number of fish, in Italy.
It dates all the way back to the tradition of abstinence (not eating meat on Weds and Fri) -- the catholics always want to give something up.., and represents the abstinence from red meat and the abundance of seafood.
Nobody really knows why they prepare and eat, seven.., fish dishes -- but my family usually had 7 fish dishes, for the 7 sacraments. But when my grandfather was still alive -- he would prepare 13 different kinds of fish, one for each of the apostles and one for Jesus (those Italians). I have been to many Feast of the Seven Fishes dinners, outside my own family.., and they can really put out a spread, for this celebration…
The FISH...
In some of the more traditional Italian homes.., the fish that is number 1 on the list is Baccala -- it is after all, the most famous fish from Southern Italy. A simple fish the fed the poor… And it.., has to be the first dish!
Also the number of dishes, I know I mentioned earlier… And, like I said -- nobody really knows why seven… But, I will say… In order to observe this holiday properly, it should be at least, seven -- and always a an odd number, in order to receive the blessings of the night. And.., the house should be packed!
A lot of people like to whip the salt cod.., and serve as dip with some good bread. But a more traditional way is maybe a baccala salad (with lightly cooked baccala), with some olives, tomato and capers.
Today I learned...
A typical.., Feast of the Seven Fishes might look like:
1 - Scungili Salad - conch
2 - Mussels in Spicy Marinara Sauce
3 - Fried Smelts
4 - White Fish Fillet Flounder
5 - Linguine with Red Clam Sauce
6 - Baccalà Salt Cod in Tomato Sauce
7 - Eel Stewed in Tomato Sauce
After dinner (you eat all night).., people gather around the the nativity display and sing songs, but only after a little Amaro Nonino (an Italian digestif). These days, regardless of the religious stuff -- people use this tradition, in an effort to gather family and friends, to rejoice in the holidays.., and eat some delicious food. Bona Fortuna!
P.S.,
The meat comes tomorrow.., Christmas Day. The red sauce filled chucks of beef, meatballs, whole pork chops and of course, sausage -- has been slowly, ever so gently.., simmering away for hours, in order to get all those amazing Italian flavors.
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the feast of seven fishes is a truly magical experience. im so glad i've had the opportunity to experience this!
Pretty cool, I know... Cheers @hka!