Feast of the Seven Fishes:  A Christmas Eve Tradition

The holiday season is a time for tradition and Christmas Eve holds special meaning for many.  A few years ago, I stumbled upon an Italian American Christmas Eve tradition, the Feast of the Seven Fishes.  

Christmas Eve had always been celebrated at my mother’s house.  After her passing I was searching for a way to bring JOY back to the holidays, most importantly, Christmas Eve.  Although I’m not Italian I have a great love for Italy and this beautiful tradition called to me.

If you’re looking to start new traditions for your family join me as we dive into this beautiful Italian American holiday tradition.

The first year I prepared the Feast it was just for me and my husband.  Needless to say, we had a LOT of food!  Regardless, it was a labor of love, and I couldn’t wait until the next holiday season to partake in our new family tradition. 

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as “La Vigilia” originated in Southern Italy.  The tradition was brought to the United States by Italian immigrants around the turn of the twentieth century.  As they settled in the various regions, they brought with them this elaborate Christmas Eve feast.

 Not only is it rooted in Italian Christmas Eve traditions, but it also has ties to Catholic traditions too, namely abstaining from meat and dairy on Christmas Eve.  The number seven is significant as it represents the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.

The celebrations are unique for each family, as the family recipes have been passed down through the generations. Some families follow more closing to the tradition by including at least seven fish dishes in their menu. However, other families have modified their menus and only include a few fish and seafood dishes.

Planning Your Feast

Planning for the Feast of the Seven Fishes is time consuming. Below are some helpful tips for hosting a successful Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner.

• Plan your menu ~ Create a menu that features a variety of cooking styles, from fried, to stewed to baked.
  • First Course ~ Typically appetizers
  • Second Course ~ Seafood with salad greens
  • Third Course ~ Soups or Stews
  • Forth Course ~ Pasta with seafood
  • Fifth Course ~ Seafood
  • Sixth Course ~ Fresh fish entree
  • Seventh Course ~ Italian inspired dessert
• Calculate portions ~ Determine how many guests to estimate how much seafood you’ll need.
• Choose a variety of seafood ~ Select a mix of shellfish and fish.
• Freshness is key ~ Visit a local, reputable fish market to ensure the freshest seafood available.
• Decorate with Christmas themed tableware and centerpieces

Coming up with seven fish dishes is daunting so we’ve prepared a few sample menus, including some recipes, to help you start preparing your own Feast of the Seven Fishes for your family and friends. 

Because I live in the Pacific Northwest, I choose fish and seafood that are native to the region.  I also elected to go a bit heavier on the appetizers to keep portion sizes smaller.

• Menu One
  • Crab stuffed mushroom caps
  • Chilled jumbo prawns with cocktail sauce
  • Fried calamari
  • Tossed green salad with fresh bay shrimp
  • Clam chowder
  • Risotto with blackened prawns and scallops (I counted this as two seafoods to get to my seven)

• Menu Two
  • Oysters on the half shell
  • Jumbo shrimp cocktail
  • Fried calamari
  • Lump crab cakes
  • Caesar salad with fresh bay shrimp
  • Creamy garlic scallops with pasta
  • Fresh baked salmon

Start your own Christmas Eve Tradition

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a beautiful tradition that combines a seafood extravaganza with the warmth of friends and family.  This Christmas Eve, Find Your Joy creating your own memorable feast by following our tips and recipes.

Share your favorite Italian seafood dishes and holiday traditions in the comments below.  Buon Natale

Posted By: Kate Griffith · In: Joy, Living