Feast of the Seven Fishes

Since I was a young boy, the holiday season has always been a special opportunity for family and friends to get together and celebrate. Christmas Eve in particular was always about getting ready for the big day with a fantastic meal following the Southern Italian tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes. My grandmother would make many dishes for the meal that could last many hours. Dishes included zuppe di cozze (mussels in a garlic and wine sauce), linguini con vongole (clams sauce), fruiti di mare (seafood salad), baccala (salt cod), and various other fish delicacies that could change year to year.

One thing was always certain, no one would go home hungry! I’ve continued this tradition with my family over the last 30 years. Over the last few years, my wife and I have invited different friends and neighbors to our feast to enjoy new experiences together. Always a fantastic time!

The great things about traditions are continuity, comfort, and expectations. That doesn’t mean you can’t try new things in the process! Happy eating!