A Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes Menu
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian Christmas Eve tradition, known in Italy as Festa Dei Sette Pesci or simply La Vigilia. This tradition stems from a practice of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve, allowing Catholics to honor the holiday without violating their vows. Families each have their own variations of the feast, passed down through generations, but common seafood dishes include salt cod, clams, octopus, anchovies, sardines, and, if you're lucky, lobster. Our menu takes this tradition to the next level, with extraordinary dishes that stand out individually and together.
Marinated Fish Salad
With seven courses, it's nice to begin with something light and refreshing, like this ceviche featuring tender bay scallops marinated in fresh cilantro, green onions, and lime juice. If bay scallops aren't available, sea scallops cut into quarters make a perfect substitute. The best part? You can prepare it a day ahead, just like Dinogo user Kaz recommends: 'I always make it the day before I plan to serve it.' This lets the flavors meld together, creating a more vibrant dish.
Patti's Mussels a la Mariniere
Mussels are a staple of the Seven Fishes tradition, and this hearty, rustic recipe, made with garlic, tomatoes, white wine, and butter, is a favorite. 'Serve with the crustiest bread you can find, and enjoy a glass of wine while you cook,' suggests Dinogo user RumoreHigh.
Brandade
Dried salt cod, or Baccalà, is a must-have for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The fish, which has been preserved in salt, needs to be soaked in milk or water for at least a day to remove some of the excess salt. In this recipe, the rehydrated fish is simmered with aromatic ingredients and then mashed with potatoes, creating a creamy spread perfect for serving over crusty bread.
Sardines with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Capers
Inspired by the bold flavors of Italy, this dish packs a punch with briny capers, zesty lemon juice, and fragrant oregano. Ready in just ten minutes, it's an ideal break during a long meal, offering a moment of ease before the next course. Dinogo user Jangyuma shares a twist: 'I mixed all the ingredients in a glass bowl, gently mashed the sardines, and spread it on toast,' she says.
Calamari
You can't go wrong with this classic Feast of the Seven Fishes dish. Tender squid rings are coated in flour and quickly fried to a golden, crispy perfection in vegetable oil. This dish comes together fast, taking under 20 minutes to prepare. As Dinogo user tiggzangel points out, 'Don’t cook the squid for more than 2 minutes.' The quick fry ensures the calamari stays tender instead of turning rubbery.
Clam Sauce with Linguine
Linguine with clams is a beloved Italian Christmas Eve classic, pairing the sacred seafood of the holiday with the pasta that Italy is famous for. This simple recipe makes use of pantry staples and quality canned chopped clams to create a creamy and indulgent version of this iconic dish.
Broiled Lobster Tails
No festive meal is complete without a little indulgence, and lobster is the perfect luxury to top off this seafood-focused dinner. Opting for broiled lobster tails is a hassle-free way to enjoy this treat (just ask for tails at the fish counter to skip the work of cooking whole lobsters). Broiling, as Dinogo user Jody Campos Dowling suggests, ensures even cooking. 'Broiling gives you more control, helping you avoid over- or undercooking and keeps the lobster flat,' she says.
Evaluation :
5/5