An Italian-American Christmas Eve Legacy
The origin of the Feast of the Seven Fishes can be traced back to southern Italy, the area that is surrounded by such bountiful coastline that seafood has been a massive part of the population’s diet for generations. Meanwhile, the tradition of eating a large and meatless meal on Christmas Eve is common throughout Italy. The number “seven” was not attached to the feast until long after Italian immigrants arrived in America with their cultural feast in tow.
In Italy, and for myself, born and raised in Italy (small town between Rome and Naples called Sant’Ambrogio Sul Garigliano) “La Vigilia” is always celebrated as a family time, a meal we share before the midnight walk to the town Church to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The fact that dinner on Christmas Eve (La Vigilia) consists only of seafood is indeed related to how we celebrate La Vigilia di Natale in Italy because many families, including mine, will abstain from eating meat the day before Christmas, following a Catholic tradition. Abstinence from meat and animal fat is a precept of the Catholic Church, to be observed on Fridays and certain times of the year, such as on the eve of feast days like Christmas. It has to do with what is considered a spiritual practice, fasting, and performing penance for your sins. Fish is allowed during abstinence because it is not considered as ‘rich’ and filling as meat.
But the number seven – that remains a mystery. It may have a religious significance, for example seven is the number of days it took God to create the Earth according to the Christian tradition, seven are the cardinal sins, as well as the number of holy sacraments.
Or maybe it is just that Italians like to eat a lot, especially on festive days, so why limit yourself to one or two courses when you can have seven (or nine, or 12).
Buon Natale,
Dino DiFante
General Manager
