Christmas Eve is a fasting day and the customs and respect given it to abstain from eating any meat that day until Christmas Day.
This Italian Christmas Eve Tradition has always been practiced by our family here in America.
Seafood is part of Catholic abstinence from eating meat until the feast of Christmas Day.
This celebration was to wait and welcome the Vigilia di Natale, and the birth of baby Jesus.
When the clock strikes 12:00 am everyone gathers in our family for Midnight mass and prayer for our baby Jesus as it has been written that was the time of his birth.
Although the tradition is 7 Fishes, we usually have more than 7 with the medleys we serve in the meals along with the Insalata Caprese and Italian Struffoli dessert.
Below are the links to the recipes highlighted by name.
Seafood Scampi Pasta
Cioppino Fish Stew
Baked Cod with Roasted Vegetables
Baked Haddock with Shrimp Zucchini Salsa
Butter Crumb Escargot
Stuffed Flounder with Shrimp
Fried Calamari
Stuffed Calamari
Baccala
Fish Fry
Smelts
Best Tempura Batter for Shellfish
White or Red Italian Chowder
Seafood Medley
Pin for later
Other Holiday Recipes to Try
Easter Recipes
Game Day Recipes
Best Holiday Side Dishes
Red White and Blue Recipes
Halloween Roundup
Thanksgiving Recipes
Christmas Recipes
