Thursday, December 9, 2010

Feast of The Seven Fishes! A Traditional Italian Christmas Eve



Christmas Eve dinner is not just a meal, but a feast. A Feast of the Seven Fishes! It is tradition not to eat meat on this day. The significance of the number 7 has a few variations of the reason for 7, and depends on who you ask. Some say it has to do with a commemoration of the last seven of the Ten Commandments, which prescribe rules of human interaction -- as opposed to the first three, which address human relations with God. Others say it is to remind us of the seven deadly sins. In any case, seven fish dishes is a feast!

What fish you use is entirely up to you and what your family traditionally uses. In my family growing up we had many courses. We would have fried shrimp, smelt, baccala, stuffed calamari, calamari pie, octupus salad, cuttle fish, sardines, and of course the fish sauce. The fish sauce is made with all the sea food thrown in there including lobster and crab. The meal itself takes hours to eat. There is time between courses to drink wine, laugh, talk, open presents, and be reminiscent about the old days!

Dessert is always something spectacular and special during the Christmas season. The many many homemade Italian cookies, stroffoli, pannetone, cannoli, and more. Baking is started long in advance of Christmas. Some of the cookies that are made special for the holiday are very time consuming and take more than one baker to handle!

The tradition of the Feast is special to our family and many other families. It's a lot of work, it's very expensive, but I couldn't imagine Christmas without it!


Buon Natale!! Recipes will follow soon!!

21 comments:

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  2. You make my mouth watter. Dolce vita, huh?

    Thanks for sharing.

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  4. [17]





    Non credo che il legno di cantare rock and roll.

    La sua voce roca altamente esplosiva strappo il cuore di tutti,
    in presenza di ----



    Bar luci soffuse, diventare più nero e più nero.
    Già vedere il volto umano, sempre più confusa.

    Ho soffocato indietro tristezza inspiegabile, i suoi occhi
    sempre caldo ......



    Perché la presenza di tutto il legno invitare hogan interactiveamici, così abbiamo finito la canzone del legno e vetro dopo un bicchiere
    di vino si beveva, non era un alcolizzato, ma beveva molto cuore.
    Un mese è anche sì. Legno Juzhaojiubei gridò: "Vivere
    il momento, Buzuibugui" Lui mi guardò e disse :.

    ?Ma non sono autorizzati a mettere in imbarazzo caldo, ma mi
    ha invitato le sue canzoni ho solo la invitai orecchie,
    non ho chiesto il suo stomaco "Tutti risate per un momento, poi mescolare e ha
    detto :.hogan scontate" Non sei una rara popolo fantasia sentirti parlare per conto di altri "legno ghigno minacciato:"
    ?! farmi in guardia ancora una volta le voci
    Avete un solo ritorno! "Tutti erano un'altra risata, ma
    non fischi più.



    Preferirei ubriaco, io non voglio essere la loro attenzione.

    Gli occhi di tutti mi fa imbarazzato.



    Raggiungo per il vetro: "Non ascoltare il legno,
    per, Buzuibugui" ho bevuto. Hanno sorpreso un momento, poi
    mettere che il vetro è anche un beveva.
    Quando bevo fino alla seconda tazza, il legno ha cercato
    di fermare, ma vedere i miei fermi e ostinati gli occhi, poi si fermò.





    Non so quanto bere il calice che io ho frammenti di ricordi.
    La scena finale è ho preso il legno correva fuori dal bar, durante
    l'esecuzione,hogan rebel mentre canta quella canzone triste codice Downing: "Lascia perdere, lascia perdere, allora lo sono anche mentire a se stessi per sfuggire ......" e poi si è fermato a un semaforo
    in via
    Io lo tengo, ho baciato, ho visto i suoi occhi sopraffatto ......




    Ubriaco venire quando dormo nel mio letto, la propria casa, messo il pigiama corpo, i capelli, la pelle, nessun retrogusto
    di alcol, ma il gel doccia e shampoo gusto. Seduto in un letto per
    dormire la gente già assonnati.
    Wood.



    Momento mia testa esplodere!
    Non ho fatto niente!



    Voglio svegliare il legno, ma non osai svegliarlo. Gli occhi caddero fuori dalla finestra, sputare
    quei vestiti sporchi, è stato appeso nella corda pulito.



    my site hogan scontate

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  5. What fish do you use is entirely up to you and what your family is traditionally used. In my family growing up we had a lot of programs. We'll fried shrimp, smelt, baccala, stuffed squid, squid pie, octupus salad, cuttle fish, sardines, and of course the fish sauce. Fish sauce made with all seafood thrown in there including lobster and crab. The food itself took hours to eat. There is time between courses to drink wine, laugh, talk, open gifts, and be reminded of the past!

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Italian American Mom, Wife, Daughter, living life to it's fullest, and trying to preserve traditions and family values of our culture.