In the infamous words of The Beatles, “All you need is love,
love is all you need,” the lyric instills an even greater impact on a
holiday. It is the time to gather and
share with the people we love most.
Italian tradition may argue in addition to the great sentiment shared
all over the world by those very words, you also need some great food!
On La Vigilia (Christmas Eve) a coveted tradition Italian’s
share is a seven fish dinner with family and friends. The Feast of the Seven Fishes originated from
a partial fast during which no meat is served in honor of the night Jesus was
born, a typical reflection in the Roman Catholic Church. Beyond the religious symbolism the night is
now long captured by enjoying lavish amounts of seafood.
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| Baccala |
The fishes typically consist of a variety of shellfish
preparations such as mussels, clams, and shrimp while other dishes may include
calamari and anchovies. Many of the fishes are prepared with numerous
incorporations of other Italian foods such as homemade pasta. Two staples of
the Feast of the Seven Fishes are Baccala, a salted cod fish and baked
eel. Baked eel is not as distinct upon
the Italian American versions of the dinner, but it is easily accessible
through a local fishmonger who will skin and gut the eel upon request making it
a simple recipe thereafter. The
fishmonger is the resource for recipes and preparations for the seafood
dishes. For a simple guide and menu
suggestions a quick Google search of “The Feast of the Seven Fishes” will
produce both recipes strict to adhering to tradition and others with
interpretations of the meal that may seem more suitable for enjoyment of those
adventurers trying or sharing the meal for the first time.
The celebratory Italian Christmas Eve dinner is a true food
centric annual occasion that springs a feast of delight through to Christmas
day. Antipasti (hold the meat) and
aperitif are up to the creation of the host that can vary on cheese, olives,
and roasted vegetables and a drink of choice.
Serving the meal with an Italian white wine from a southern region such
as the Amalfi coast is a commonly recommended pairing. Serve an after dinner drink featuring limoncello,
a lemon liqueur from Campania, served with espresso and a sweet dessert
(gelato!) for an exceptional way to cap the evening.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes certainly does boast a spread that
harbors all the love across a bountiful table and fills up all, needing nothing
else on that special evening.
There are so many Italian foods that are a lasting tradition
over the holidays. A Pino Gelato
location in Marietta, Georgia has been participating in a 12 days of Christmas
contest amongst businesses in Marietta Square and featured “Italian Style” as
their theme. Shop owner Barbara Jostworth sums up all of the other Italian
foodie delights of Christmas in the wonderful poem she created:
The 12 Days of Christmas Italian
Style:
On the first day of Christmas … my true love gave to me: Pino Gelato
at every meal
On the second day of Christmas … my true love gave to
me: Panettone cake on my plate with Pino Gelato at every meal
On the third day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me: Tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate with Pino
Gelato at every meal
On the fourth day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me a Sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on
my plate, with Pino Gelato at every meal
On the fifth day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me: Honey almond
Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, a tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and
Pino Gelato at every meal
On the sixth day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me: Hearty lasagna, a honey almond Torrine, a sparkling
Prosecco, Tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every
meal
On the seventh day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me: glazed pistachios, hearty lasagna, honey almond
Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate and
Pino Gelato at every meal
On the eighth day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me: Baci Italian chocolates, glazed pistachios, hearty
lasagna, honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone
on my plate and Pino Gelato at every meal
On the ninth day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me; an aged prosciutto, Baci Italian chocolates, glazed
pistachios, hearty lasagna, a honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco,
tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal
On the tenth day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me a tangy bruschetta, honey almond Torrine, a sparkling
Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every
meal
On the 11day of Christmas…
my true love gave to me a lovely linguini, a tangy bruschetta, Honey almond
Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and
Pino Gelato at every meal
On the 12th day of Christmas… my true love gave to me a beautiful Feast of
Seven Fishes… (La Vigilia), a lovely linguine, Tangy Bruschetta, honey almond
Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco,
tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal
Buon NatalE! Merry Christmas and
Buon Appetito!
From Pino Gelato/Marietta Square
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