Christmas Eve Dinner – Feast of Seven Fishes
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a seafood feast and an Italian Christmas Eve tradition. Easily make the feast of seven fishes for Christmas Eve — It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve with family and friends.
Learn how to easily make it at home.
Celebrate Christmas Eve a Feast of Seven Fishes Seafood extravaganza.
EASY FEAST OF SEVEN FISHES CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER MENU
How to Prepare your Christmas Eve Menu of the Feast of Seven Fishes
Easy seafood recipes for Feast of Seven Fishes Christmas Eve celebration.
The “Italian” Feast of Seven Fishes is actually an Italian-American tradition of serving seven or more preparations of seafood. This Italian-American tradition came from the Italian tradition of observing a “fast” on Christmas Eve and serving a light meatless meal consisting of soups, salads, meatless antipasto, pasta, and seafood dishes.
Just like every region of Italy has their own food traditions and specialties — every family celebrates the Feast of Seven Fishes a little differently.
My husband and I grew up celebrating Christmas Eve following this tradition. My husbands family followed a more traditional Feast of Seven Fishes menu and served in courses. My family, being Irish and Italian, celebrated the Christmas Eve Feast a little more loosely and would invite family, friends, and neighbors in for a light meatless meal of salads, pasta and of course some seafood and served everything at once family style.
I’ve kept the tradition of cooking a Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve alive but now I celebrate with our family favorite recipes, including Crab and spaghetti and Thai mussels.
South Philly Italian Feast of Seven Fishes
Both of my husband grandparents immigrated from Italy to an Italian neighborhood of South Philadelphia. They served a more traditional South Philly Italian Feast of Seven Fishes menu that included fresh seafood from the Italian Market and some of the traditional foods and ingredients from Italy. Here’s the menu my husband grew up with:
- Baccalà — a dry salted cod that is a staple feast fish.
- Sardines
- Fried Shrimp
- Fried Smelts
- Salad
- Fresh rolls and Bread from Cacia’s Bakery
- Fresh crabs that they would buy live at the market. The fresh crabs would be cooked in a traditional red gravy (sauce).
- Whole Baked Fish – from the Italian Market
- Cannolis from Isgro’s
- + Fresh raw finocchio slices, that’s Italian for fennel.
So, follow my suggestions for a Feast of Seven Fishes or create your own using your families favorite seafood and meatless dishes.
Feast of Seven Fishes Menu
This menu can be served in courses or served family style with everything placed on the table at the same time. I serve a hot crab dip first while everyone gathers with some wine or a cocktail while the rest of the meal is being prepared.
Thai Steamed Mussels in a Spicy Coconut Broth
White Wine And Garlic Steamed Baby Clams
Stone Crab Claw Shooter with Florida Mustard Sauce
Blue Crabs Fra Diavolo A.K.A. Spicy Red Crab Gravy
Cioppino – Italian Fisherman’s Stew
Simple Green Salad with Fennel
Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna
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More Feast of Seven Fishes Recipe(…
Sweet luscious crab meat served with a spicy remoulade sauce.
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This is the best-ever easy shrimp dip. This is the perfect party or potluck appetizer. Served with fresh vegetables or assorted pieces of bread and crackers.
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All these recipes are tried and true – each one tested and guaranteed to be easy and foolproof.
These are some great ideas for Christmas Eve 7 Fishes dinner. Love the Spaghetti and crab recipe.