The Truth About the Feast of Seven Fishes (Hint: It’s Not Italian)

In homes across America on Christmas Eve, there’s a distinctive aroma in countless Italian-American kitchens – the mingled scents of garlic, olive oil, and an array of seafood dishes simmering on the stove.

Welcome to the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a beloved Christmas Eve tradition that, despite what many assume, isn’t from the old country at all.

While Italy has its own Christmas Eve traditions featuring seafood, the elaborate seven-course fish feast we know today was born right here in America, crafted by Italian immigrants who transformed their memories of holiday meals into something uniquely Italian-American.

Ready to dive into the story of how this magnificent feast became the crowning glory of the Italian-American holiday season? Let me take you on a journey through this beloved tradition – one that I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of for more than three decades, first as an eager student in my mother-in-law’s kitchen, and now as the proud keeper of this cherished family celebration.

The Story Behind the Feast: From Italian Waters to American Tables

You know what I find fascinating about the Feast of Seven Fishes? It’s actually more American than Italian! The truth is, this beloved tradition has its roots in something much simpler that traveled across the ocean with immigrants from Southern Italy.

Picture this: the sun-drenched coasts of Calabria, Sicily, and Naples in the late 1800s. Families there weren’t counting fish dishes on Christmas Eve – they were simply following their Catholic tradition of avoiding meat for La Vigilia (the Christmas Eve vigil).

And when you live along the Mediterranean, what’s more natural than turning to the sea for your celebration?

These Southern Italian families brought this custom with them when they arrived in America, carrying their recipes and traditions across the Atlantic like precious cargo.

As these immigrants found success in their new home, their modest fish dinners evolved into something grander.

What started as a simple meal of maybe two or three seafood dishes (that’s still how they do it in Italy today!) transformed into the epic feast we know now.

Think about it – what better way to show how far you’d come in your new country than by turning your humble Christmas Eve dinner into an abundant celebration? Seven different fish dishes? Now that’s making it in America!

I love how this tradition tells the story of Italian immigration itself. Every baccalà, every plate of fried smelts, every steaming bowl of linguine with clam sauce speaks to a journey that started in those Mediterranean fishing villages and blossomed into something uniquely Italian-American.

Want to know something really interesting about why they chose seven dishes? Well, that’s a whole other story…

Why Seven? The Magic Number Behind the Feast

I’ve never met two Italian-American families who agree completely on why it has to be seven fish dishes! And you know what? That’s part of what makes this tradition so special.

Some believe it represents the seven sacraments – you know, Baptism, Confirmation, and all those milestone moments in Catholic life.

Others insist it’s all about the seven days of creation. And others believe it symbolizes the seven virtues-the positive counterparts to the seven deadly sins which are considered essential qualities for living a moral and righteous life in Christian teaching.

And let’s talk about how flexible this “rule of seven” really is. In our house, we stick to the traditional seven (though I’ll admit, sometimes we stretch the definition of what counts as a “different” fish dish).

But I know plenty of families who go all out with 13 dishes – one for Jesus and each of the apostles. Talk about a feast! Then there are those who keep it simpler with fewer dishes. And you know what? They’re all doing it right.

The beautiful thing about this tradition is that it’s not really about the number at all. Whether you serve seven types of fish, thirteen, or even just a few, what matters is gathering around the table with family, sharing stories, and keeping the tradition alive in whatever way works for your family.

Want to know what fish dishes typically make it onto an Italian-American Christmas Eve table? Let me share some of our family favorites…

What’s Cooking? The Stars of the Seven Fishes Show

Let me walk you through what you might find on an Italian-American table for the Feast of Seven Fishes – including some dishes that have become traditions in my own kitchen over the past 30 years.

The Must-Haves

Baccalà (Salt Cod) You can’t talk about the Feast without mentioning this one! It’s the dish that tells our family’s immigration story – my mother-in-law taught me how to soak it just right, and now I’m teaching the next generation. Pro tip: start soaking it three days before Christmas Eve. Trust me on this one!

The Famous Fried Platter This is always the first to disappear at our house! We’re talking perfectly crispy calamari (my husband Alfredo’s specialty), tender fried shrimp, and those little fried smelts that everyone fights over. Serve it with lemon wedges and watch it vanish!

Linguine with Clam Sauce Simple but spectacular – this is the dish that converts even the seafood-hesitant. We make both red and white versions because, well, why choose? The secret is using super fresh clams and plenty of garlic.

Our Family’s Special Additions

Remember what I said about Italian-American traditions evolving?

Here’s proof: we’ve added New England Clam Chowder and baked haddock to our feast. It’s our nod to living in New England while keeping the Italian spirit alive.

And honestly? These dishes have become just as traditional as any others on our table.

More Feast Favorites

Shrimp Scampi Garlicky, buttery, and absolutely divine. Pro tip: save some bread for soaking up that sauce!

Mussels Marinara The sauce here is almost better than the mussels themselves – almost!

Stuffed Clams These are my party trick – people think they’re complicated, but they’re actually pretty simple to make.

Lobster Fra Diavolo When we’re feeling fancy (and let’s be honest, Christmas Eve is definitely the time), this spicy, luxurious dish makes an appearance.

Planning Your Own Feast: A Guide to Starting the Seven Fishes Tradition

Whether you’re Italian-American or simply drawn to this beautiful holiday tradition, creating your own Feast of the Seven Fishes celebration can become a cherished part of your Christmas Eve.

With some careful planning and organization, you can create a memorable feast that brings family and friends together.

Starting Your Menu Planning

Before diving into recipes, consider investing in a good cookbook dedicated to this tradition.

Richard Pedrolini Moreau’s Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Christmas Eve Tradition and Daniel Paterna’s Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family offer a deeper dive into this tradition along with authentic recipes and valuable insights into menu planning.

Creating a Balanced Menu

When planning your seven fish dishes, aim for variety in both preparation methods and types of seafood. A well-balanced menu might include:

• One cold appetizer (like seafood salad or smoked salmon)
• One hot appetizer (such as fried calamari)
• Two pasta dishes (perhaps linguine with clams and lobster fra diavolo)
• Two main courses (such as baked cod and grilled shrimp)
• One fish-based soup or stew (like cioppino or fish chowder)

The Cultural Impact: How the Seven Fishes Feast Enriches American Holiday Traditions

The Feast of the Seven Fishes exemplifies how immigrant traditions can enrich and expand American cultural life.

What began in Italian-American households has now spread far beyond these communities, becoming a celebrated part of America’s diverse holiday traditions.

Non-Italian restaurants now offer Seven Fishes menus, food magazines feature it in their December issues, and families of various backgrounds have adopted elements of this tradition into their own Christmas Eve celebrations.

For Italian-American families, the feast serves as a vital link to their heritage. In a time when many cultural traditions are fading, this celebration has not only persisted but thrived.

Perhaps most significantly, the Feast of Seven Fishes demonstrates how American culture grows richer through the preservation and sharing of immigrant traditions.

As each generation adapts the feast to its own needs while maintaining its essential character, they create a living tradition that bridges past and present, old world and new, in a distinctly American way.

What Is The Christmas Eve Food Tradition in Italy?

In Italy, Christmas Eve dinner is called “La Vigilia” (The Vigil) or “Cenone della Vigilia di Natale” (The Big Christmas Eve Dinner), and unlike the Italian-American Feast of Seven Fishes, it’s simply a meatless meal following Catholic tradition.

While seafood is commonly served, there’s no requirement for seven fishes – most families serve just two or three seafood dishes along with pasta and vegetables.

The specifics vary by region: Romans might serve salt cod (baccalà), Neapolitans traditionally include eel (capitone), Sicilians prepare various seafood dishes, and Venetians feature local catches from their lagoon.

The meal traditionally begins after sunset and precedes Midnight Mass, with the focus being more on abstaining from meat than on any particular number of fish dishes.

Conclusion

Just as I encourage my readers to discover the real Italy beyond the tourist trails, I invite you to explore this Italian-American tradition for what it truly is – not a recreation of an Italian feast, but a beautiful example of how Italian culture has taken root and flourished in new soil.

It speaks to how immigrants preserved their connection to Italy while creating something uniquely their own.

Whether you’re planning your own Feast of Seven Fishes or simply appreciating this beautiful tradition, remember that it represents the best of both cultures: Italian soul and American spirit, blended together to create something extraordinary.

Do you celebrate Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes? Comment below with the traditions you cherish the most!

Author: Amy Lamparelli – Learn More