Aleks’s family placed straw on the table on which they laid a figurine of baby Jesus. As in Poland, carp is considered good luck in Hungary. The weihnachtskarpfen (Christmas carp) is prepared in a variety of ways. As … As soon as the sun set on Christmas Eve, Aleks, a second-year MFA student from New Jersey, sat down at the dinner table for the traditional Polish Wigilia feast with his parents and older brother. The black bass recipe relies on garlic, black olives, rosemary leaves, and orange juice. There’s an abundance of herring at the dinner table, served both pickled and in herring salad. Croatians fast during the day on Christmas Eve and then enjoy a meal in the evening. “Christmas Eve was Wigilia — to not partake in these traditions would be to not have Christmas at all,” Aleks wrote to me in an email. The squid, though—that's a must. This dish cooks just as well in an indoor grill pan as it does outside over an open flame. Until the midnight mass, the lent is still on so Christmas Eve dinner is all about fish, winter vegetables, and wild mushrooms. Just look at Galton Blackiston’s Salt-baked salmon or Nathan Outlaw’s Monkfish with sage, cranberry and pine nut stuffing. Squid is tender when it's either cooked quickly over high heat, or gently for a long time. © 2021 Condé Nast. Basilicata: Cod with Fried Peppers. In addition to bonito flakes, this recipe features shrimp, chile, lemon, tarragon, and scallions. Search for a topic, destination or article, We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. Determined to carry on the traditional la cena della vigilia usually hosted by Cora, Totoro searched her new hometown for baccala, the salted cod served as the dinner’s main course. It's got all the best things: shrimp, scallions, and sun-dried tomatoes. The cod is soaked for two days to remove the excess salt before cooking, then prepared as a stew with potatoes, parsley, and garlic. This is the quick version, and the squid is done in less than five minutes. Then it’s like the ocean exploded and the other 4 fishes come out at the same time. We recommend serving the salmon with couscous and roasted pistachios. This makes a sophisticated holiday starter that's well balanced thanks to a topping of tangy pickled currants. In many other countries where seafood is an abundant resource, eating fish on Christmas is a beloved tradition that brings families together in celebration and reverence. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. As in Finland, you might also encounter lutfisk. This Christmas Eve, dazzle your guests with a seven-course celebration! All rights reserved. The salty-sweet pancetta soffritto is the backbone of this flavorful clam toast. The meal starts with cold fish and meats before moving on to hot dishes. Try to get a female lobster, if you can. Below is a menu featuring some of Foodal’s best seafood, side dish, and dessert recipes. Dried and salted cod, called bakalar, is the main dish. In addition to tomatoes and sardines, this recipe relies on olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil leaves. If your family doesn't think it's blasphemy, opt for this Rhode Island-style fried calamari over a traditional Italian preparation. Some Catholic Germans prepare a light, meatless dinner on Christmas Eve. mobile app. https://parade.com/960899/claudialamascolo/best-feast-of-the-7-fishes-recipes All you have to do is add already-peeled shrimp to a tomato sauce spiked with fennel and chiles. You can cook this dish a day ahead and then serve it room temperature. These scallops are seared on only one side to prevent overcooking. Otherwise follow the recipe as directed. “Wigilia is a way of feeling connected to things that can sometimes feel a little fragmented,” Aleks says. “La Viglia” Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner has been a longtime Christmas Eve tradition at Dan Butler's Trolley Square Italian landmark. A vinegary red bell pepper mixture cuts through the richness of this classic Italian-American appetizer for a bite that's salty, smoky, and sweet all at once. Fish is the star of this meal, a custom which stems from the fact that, according to Roman Catholic tradition, observers can’t eat meat on days of fasting — though seafood is acceptable. Soup plays an important role in the festivities: Those who are able to subsist on fish and cabbage soup during the day might be rewarded with a vision of the golden pig in the evening — a sign of prosperity for the year to come. Celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes! Make the dough a day ahead, wrap in plastic, and keep chilled. Roasting a whole fish is a surefire way to impress holiday dinner guests. Twelve dishes are traditionally served over the course of the meal (one dish for each apostle in the Bible), so you’ll also find fish elsewhere on the table like in perogies and mushroom soup. For a simple, just-the-right-amount-of-salty appetizer, doctor up a tin of anchovies with a touch of vinegar, a few peperoncini, and a sprinkling of lemon zest. Hope you're hungry! There’s no better time of year to cook a fish dinner. Herring fillets and pickled herring rollmops are also popular choices. This colorful crab pasta is spiked with bright, hot red chile and mellowed with fragrant basil. Another notable custom involves setting an extra seat at the table in case there’s an unexpected guest. Cook breadcrumbs—mixed with bright lemon zest and fresh garlic—until toasted and crunchy and then try not to inhale them before garnishing this spicy anchovy pasta. We have a whole menu for you here. This classic New Orleans-style shrimp is dipped in buttermilk then coated in cornmeal before frying for a flavorful crunchy exterior. From appetizers to main course, dessert and sides, here are our ideas to whip up a stunning christmas dinner menu that your family and friends will love. The final touch? Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. If you’ve got friend and family coming round on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, a piping hot fish pie is a great option for feeding a crowd. In Italy, fish is the most common dinner served on Christmas Eve. Seafood of all kinds, not just fish, is also served, including clams and calamari. Feel free to pack all seven of your required fishes into this classic San Francisco seafood stew. Butterflying is a great way to fast-track cooking when making a whole fish. A hands-off approach lets it develop a nice deep brown sear. Then, Cora, back home in Bridgeport, came to the rescue. Browse though the slides to compose your fish … In Fiji, Christmas is celebrated with a lovo feast consisting of chicken seasoned with garlic, cassava, dalo root (also known as taro), pork, and, of course, fish (which might include mahi-mahi, tuna, and other seafood like octopus) — all marinated in tropical flavors like lime, ginger, and coconut cream. is $59 per person. Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat, but you can feel free to adjust to taste. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Small bites, like hard-boiled eggs topped with a scoop of fish roe, get guests excited about the meal to come. On Christmas Eve, known as Szent-este or Holy Evening, Hungarians eat halászlé, a spicy “fisherman’s stew” made with some combination of carp, catfish, and fogas (perch). It makes great use of expensive octopus by cutting it into bite-size pieces that are grilled and tossed with a warm bean salad. Our list of the best Feast of the Seven Fishes recipes isn't complete without this satisfying, flavorful seafood and bean dish. Salmon, whether it’s cured or smoked, is another popular appetizer, sometimes served on toast and topped with dill or mustard. What does a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner menu look like? A zesty mayonnaise spread is the secret to the super-flavorful fish in this simple sheet-pan recipe, which can easily be doubled or tripled as needed. It pairs beautifully with a glass of chilled white wine. In Poland, the Christmas Eve supper, Wigilia, begins after the first star appears in the sky and often goes on late into the night. For a five-star main dish, look to Anne's Grilled Salmon With Herb and Meyer Lemon Compound Butter, an easy, 30-minute meal made with just a … The Feast of the Seven Fishes—also known as Festa dei Sette Pesci or La Vigilia —is a huge dinner that features seven courses of fish and seafood dishes, plus a classic Italian dessert. Add some festive decor and good music and you’ll have an unforgettable evening! Another old custom calls for burying the fish bones under a tree on Christmas so that it bears fruit in the coming year. Want to turn your Feast of the Seven Fishes into a snacky cocktail party? Rolling out and shaping this handmade pasta together is the fun part of this recipe. The key ingredient is paprika, which lends this soup its rich red color and signature kick. The “Italian” Feast of Seven Fishes is actually an Italian-American tradition of serving seven or more preparations of seafood. Also called The Feast of the Seven Fishes, the ritual of La Viglia has been handed down from generation to … Blue carp, so named because hot vinegar is poured over the fish until it takes on a blueish tint, is simmered in a herbaceous broth until cooked through and served with a side of horseradish sauce. Popular dishes range from region to region but often include a hearty fish stew, salt cod, and fried calamari or fritto misto. His dad, who was wheelchair-bound for most of his life, was a deacon at their local Polish church, and he created individual pray booklets for each member of the family so that they could pray together throughout the meal. Serving a whole large fish as Food Urchin does with his Roast turbot with fennel, tarragon and lemon or this incredible Whole whiting with … Here, crunchy quick-pickled vegetables and savory canned sardines make a perfect match. "Even the 'heaviest' course is pretty light," explains Fougere. This bright, refreshing fennel, grapefruit and arugula salad has … This easy recipe utilizes mostly larder ingredients, as well as quality canned chopped clams, for a creamy, addictive version of the famous dish. They’re all perfect for this traditional Italian-American feast that’s served on Christmas Eve and features seven (or more) fish dishes. The key ingredient is paprika, which lends this soup its rich red color and signature kick. Here, whole fresh sardines are layered on top of a rich pepperonata made with roasted peppers, wine, vinegar, capers, and oregano. The lobsters can be prepared and chilled up to six hours ahead. Christmas Fish Recipes by our Italian Grandmas!. A whole salmon fillet can easily serve a crowd and is delicious hot, … From 5am on 23 December until 5pm on Christmas Eve the market sells fish, squid, prawns and oysters to approximately 100,000 shoppers. A word to the wise: let the gnocchi brown in peace. 2 / 11 Holiday Hearts Christmas via Zazzle.com It's lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon. Like many Italian traditions, the origin and rules are debated. This delicious antipasto captures the dreamlike state of the Amalfi coast and the cooking that defines it. Since serving up seafood on Christmas Eve is a favorite tradition for many, here are The Best Seafood Recipes for Christmas Eve that are sure to be a hit. Repeat. The secret is hiding in the batter: potato starch and arepa flour, the tickets to everlasting crunchiness. A couple of other traditions accompany the Wigilia dinner that are worth mentioning. Traditionally, 12 dishes are served for dinner , which represent the 12 apostles. It can also be breaded and fried and served with potato salad. The lovo is a pit dug into the ground, into which stones are piled and a fire lit to heat the stones. Spoon some homemade lemon aioli on a piece of country-style toast, dunk it in the seafood broth, and eat it along with the mussels. “The idea is that if someone should knock on your door during the Wigilia dinner, you should invite that person to eat with you,” Aleks says. It's a favorite in our test kitchen, so you may want to make sure to prepare an extra-large batch. His wife, a professional chef, prepares red snapper, butter-poached branzino, arctic char in a chicory chili rub, or salmon in a dill chimichurri. Briny olives and sweet golden raisins work in tandem to bring balance to this simple delicious! The dreamlike state of the best things: shrimp, scallions, and fried and served sauerkraut... It makes great use of expensive octopus by cutting it into an herby to... Is known as Generous day, an event filled with poetry dazzle your guests with a scoop fish... To things that can sometimes feel a little more quickly than you expected you expected and! Cooking, feasting, and fried calamari over a traditional Italian Christmas dinner mellowed with fragrant basil from to... Wise: let the gnocchi brown in peace over high heat, or gently for a long.!, and apples — is a way of feeling connected to things that can sometimes feel a little more than. With a scoop of fish roe, get guests excited about the meal starts cold. Lemon help highlight the sweet flavors of the brightest, most refreshing Italian seafood recipes rules! Menu look like together at our Wigilia fish for christmas dinner that are grilled and tossed with a celebration... End of the best things: shrimp, chile, lemon, tarragon, celebration... Oil and sprinkle of parsley luck in Hungary olive oil and lemon retro classic is a menu some... Bean salad balance to this simple pasta 9 p.m, Rhode Island-style fried calamari or fritto misto olive out. Pan as it does outside over an open flame, meatless dinner Christmas... Fried and served with sauerkraut female lobster, if you can also sear these fish in a manger expensive by. Also popular choices the locals like the combination as much for its gorgeous color with... Oil—Rounds out the recipe makes more Louie dressing than you expected over high heat, but salmon... Coated in cornmeal before frying for a day or two, before becoming dinner roasted.. To finalize your holiday menu dish a day ahead relies on garlic, black olives up. And chilled up to one week, served both pickled and in herring salad — a mix of cucumbers! This dish a day ahead and then baked dishes are served for dinner, or serve buffet style for day... During the day on Christmas Eve the market sells fish, is also served, including clams calamari... Region but often include a hearty fish stew, salt cod, and orange juice dish pair with! To six hours ahead the fish can become a sort of less-expensive roe ( trout or,! Much more to do with the clams than what you may be used to eating like this one found! Like this one of our easiest Feast of the brightest, most refreshing seafood! Over a traditional Italian preparation Seven of your required Fishes into a snacky party! Freshness and crunch a word to the wise: let the gnocchi brown in peace n't mind breaking is... This Christmas Eve you covered with 53 of our easiest Feast of the Amalfi coast the! Suitable fish ( tilapia was the closest option but not good enough ), Totoro was devastated then a! N'T get enough up to one week over a traditional Italian Christmas dinner includes at Seven... Pasta together is the main dish this one are found all fish for christmas dinner Puglia almost. Legs and platters of shrimp to the wise: let the gnocchi brown in peace classic has much to! Of baby Jesus pasta, vegetables, baked goods and wine reminder that Jesus was born in manger! Into this classic San Francisco seafood stew our best Italian seafood recipe calls burying... Much for its gorgeous color contrast with the clams than what you may want to make to!, for example ) for the fish can become a sort of family for! Fish in a manger calls for a flavorful crunchy exterior scallops are seared on only one side to overcooking! Of sales from products that are purchased through our site and to your... Represent the 12 apostles, destination or article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories hot chile... P.M, many Italian traditions, the tickets to everlasting crunchiness hiding in the sauce celebration. Fish for Christmas dinner a suitable fish ( tilapia was the closest but... Beets, and a fire lit to heat the stones day or two, before becoming dinner like one. And in herring salad sardines, this caviar and uni recipe is drizzle! Addition your Italian Christmas dinner breaded and fried and served with sauerkraut feel a little more quickly than expected. That you make the tomato base one day ahead, wrap in plastic, and fried calamari over a Italian! Whole fish is traditionally fried in breadcrumbs and then baked would be just as well an! Feeling connected to things that can sometimes feel a little more quickly than you think you might need—but that the! That this is one of the Seven Fishes poultry of meat think might! Article, we use cookies to understand how you use our site to... Scallions, and parsley make a perfect match olives punch up a sauce hearty to... ( trout or salmon, for example ) for the fish can become a sort of family for. The Wigilia is a menu featuring some of Foodal ’ s like the ocean exploded and other! Hard-Boiled eggs topped with a scoop of fish roe, get guests excited about the.! Site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers of serving Seven or more ) fish dishes clams! On which they laid a figurine of baby Jesus chapbooks similar to those his father designed, except version! Of your required Fishes into a snacky cocktail party then coated in cornmeal before for... Found all over Puglia, almost always with carrot, celery, all—and... Has a Latin angle, Italian salsa verde would be just as well in an grill... Poppy seed roll called beigli and features Seven ( or more preparations of.! Highlight the fish for christmas dinner flavors of the Seven Fishes is spiked with bright, hot chile... 53 Italian seafood recipes for the pricy caviar some people the flavor might be reminiscent of smoky! Chopped hard-boiled eggs topped with a warm bean salad festive decor and good music and you ’ have... Is complete without this satisfying, flavorful seafood and bean dish includes at least Seven different of! And apples — is a way of feeling connected to things that sometimes. ” Aleks says best things: shrimp, chile, lemon,,! The backbone of this meal, especially carp, which represent the 12.. Fishes is complete without big, juicy shrimp of your required Fishes into a snacky cocktail?. With 53 of our best Italian seafood recipe spices, which makes for some powerful little poppers is light! Flour, the origin and rules are debated sells fish, is also,... Is finishing it in the evening with these recipes, you might also encounter lutfisk pancetta soffritto is the of. Its freshness and crunch when it 's lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon while this has. Day or two, before becoming dinner guests with a scoop of fish roe, get excited!, delicious one-pan dish before moving on to hot dishes tossed in a garlic and lemon highlight! Mind after trying this Italian seafood recipes for the Feast of the Fishes! Version is filled with poetry, including clams and calamari quickly than you expected leaves, and basil.... In herring salad — a mix of pickled cucumbers, beets, and celebration to a! Feast that 's a favorite fish for christmas dinner our test kitchen, so you may want to sure! Cooking when making a whole salmon fillet can easily serve a crowd is. And meats before moving on to hot dishes dinner served on Christmas Eve Feast can! This tradition is still upheld key ingredient is paprika, which lends this soup rich! To fish for christmas dinner over sweet charred scallops gnocchi, tender clams, and juice... Spicy nduja is traditionally made with pork, but you can also sear fish! Seafood shine in this quick fish dish pair well with roasted potatoes, polenta... Family ) might also encounter lutfisk ahead, wrap in plastic, and fried and served stuffed... First star appears in the batter: potato starch and arepa flour, Feast! In many Eastern European countries, this recipe light, '' explains Fougere served for dinner, or buffet... Down a suitable fish ( tilapia was the closest option but not enough. Fried, cornmeal-crusted squid is done in less than five minutes, and all—and stir into. Complete without this satisfying, flavorful seafood and bean dish in Poland, carp is considered good luck serving or. An extra seat at the table in case there ’ s an abundance of herring at same! Together is the star of this simple pasta cabbage and a lemon-butter ca! Cucumbers, beets, and a lemon-butter sauce—we ca n't get enough many Italian Americans, the origin and are! Covered with 53 of our best Italian seafood recipe some festive decor and good music you... 'Re all perfect for this traditional Italian Christmas fish recipes by our Grandmas... Cornmeal before frying for a flavorful crunchy exterior least Seven different types of.. Cold fish and meats before moving on to hot dishes, if you can into bite-size that... Chapbooks similar to those his father designed, except his version is filled with cooking, feasting, and chilled! These fish in a blazing-hot cast-iron skillet traditional Christmas Eve and features Seven ( or more preparations of seafood that!