I am not Italian but have friends that are, and on Christmas eve, their family would have a dinner that consisted of 7 different dishes of various fish. Some of my memories of these dishes were
Shrimp Scampi
Broiled Scallops
Baccala
Pasta with a Tuna Sauce
Fried Smelt
Stuffed Squid
Anybody out there doing something like this tonight?
2007-12-24 02:32:34 · 89 answers · asked by mark 7 in Food & Drink ➔ Ethnic Cuisine
I'm not, because tonight is my 20th anniversary and I'm not cooking! But my son in Oregon is. We didn't discuss his exact menu, but being of Italian descent, my experience has been that every cook prepares the seven fishes according to the regional specialties they grew up with.
Congrats to you, eating the baccala and stuffed squid even though you're not Italian. My husband is a WASP, and he doesn't even like the smell of them. Won't eat tripe either (not a fish) which is my favorite dish that my mother used to make for me on holidays.
Hope your dinner is fantastic and enjoyed by all. Merry, Merry!
2007-12-24 02:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your question brought a tear to my eye. I am blessed to have married into a traditional Italian family, and this was one of the first Christmas traditions that stands out in my mind, from when my husband and I were dating.
His grandmother and mother would spend so much time and energy on cooking all the time, but on a High Holy day such as Christmas Eve, they would follow the traditional Dinner of the Seven Fishes which has it's beginnings in Sicilian and Neopolitan tradition. My mother in laws family is Sicilian.
It is believed to be based on the week preceding the birth of Jesus, called the observance of the Cena della Vigilia, which some refer to as Holy Birth Vigil. Some people also connect it to Jesus serving the multitudes with the loaves and fishes. There are other connections to the days of the week, or the seven sins, or the stations of the cross; and each family will connect their belief accordingly.
The number of courses are based on the monetary wealth of the family. Some families will have one course consisting of the simplest of pastas mixed with tuna fish, canned in olive oil or fresh. There are combinations up to thirteen dishes for the twelve Apostles plus the Master (Jesus.)
I can remember helping to prepare many of the dishes over the years, when the children of the family were very young, they may only have eaten a bite of tuna while the adults ate the dishes you mentioned above, plus other choices.
One of my husbands uncles specialities was a Red Gravy with Lobster. Red Gravy is a common traditional reference to what is referred to as tomato sauce or marinara. The lobsters would actually be cooked whole in the simmering sauce, and if you are a lobster lover, it is very nearly heavenly.
I learned to prepare many of the dishes, but only prepare a few now as I do not have forty or more people coming back to my house after evening or midnight mass. Everyone is scattered around the world now, and my in laws are celebrating Christmas in Heaven. My husband and I and our children are passing the traditions on, with the blessings and gladness with which they were given to us.
Please enjoy the wonder and blessing of Christmas, no matter what traditions you share.
God bless you and yours.
Merry Christmas and Boun Natale.
2007-12-24 05:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by Sue F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DAMN! I have never wanted to be Italian more then right after I read your list...
I think I'm gonna try to "Convert" or something of the sort if it means that the "Standard" turkey or ham gets replaced with a menue like ^That!!
If anyone has recipes for the traditional spread I would GREATLY appreciate an email!!
Happy Holidays!
Wish me luck chokeing down the dry sandpaper like turkey I will be foreced to eat tonight... I will be dreaming about YOUR dinner!
2007-12-24 04:15:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think i'd eat if those were the only fishes! :) We are doing lobster tails, cold seafood salad with scallops and calamari, mussels marinara, linguine with white wine clam sauce, a bushel of crabs, baccala, and shrimp cocktail.. we keep it simple and tasty :)
It is a Sicilian thing to do, not so much a traditional Italian thing, friends of mine that are napolitan eat lamb and pasta dishes, we are Sicilian, we do the fish... living in NYC, all Italians still keep up with the tradition!
2007-12-24 08:41:48 · answer #4 · answered by Pablo D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im having a traditional italian dinner but NOT the 7 fishes lol
2007-12-24 03:04:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been around Italians most of my life and have never heard of this tradition.... In fact I'm having Christmas dinner with Italians tonight and it'll be ravioli stuffed with pumpkin, roast turkey, ice cream, fruit and gallons of wine.
2007-12-24 02:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not a lot of Italians living in Arkansas that I know of but this sounds interesting. I love to hear of other cultures and how they celebrate Christmas.
2007-12-24 02:55:32 · answer #7 · answered by disposabledude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes my family does that tradition as well but we have some different dishes. and i posted a question about why 7? no one in my family knows. Do u?
2007-12-24 03:06:30 · answer #8 · answered by r6soccer 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well the meatless 7 fish xmas eve dinner is a catholic tradition, not just italian. i'm polish and we do the 7 fish but they closely correspond to our cuisine...however, yes. to answer ur question...i am doing something similar tonight.
2007-12-24 02:52:20 · answer #9 · answered by quambewy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry I am a mexicana chica. That is my culture so we are doing a mexican dinner tomorrow for xmas. I though hope you have fun with your friends tonight.
As we say Feliz Navidad prospedo ano felizidad. Or as you say Merry Christmas.
2007-12-24 02:55:39 · answer #10 · answered by valerie h 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋