The 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Italian Recipes below will impress your family members and dear friends and bring back the nostalgia of Christmases past to your holiday table. You’re sure to find great recipes you want to try with the 60+ that I suggest below from appetizers to Italian desserts all organized so they’re easy to find!
Italian Christmas Eve (La Vigilia di Natale)
Italian-American households hold dear the beloved holiday tradition of the Feast of Seven Fishes where for Christmas Eve dinner, a feast of fish and seafood is made to celebrate the coming of Baby Jesus.
Although Italians in Italy celebrate Christmas Eve with a fish and seafood dinner, they don’t specifically eat seven different kids. That became an Italian-American tradition.
My parents were born in Southern Italy in towns about one hour from Naples. They were Italian immigrants who came to the Philly area in the 1960s. Some of my father’s side moved to Italy’s Adriatic coast in Rimini where you can find plenty of seafood and delicious northern Italian dishes.
Growing up in the Italian tradition, we ate only ate fish and seafood on “la vigilia di Natale” (Christmas Eve) which is a special holiday in Italy. Every year growing up, my mom had a salt cod (called baccala) soaking in the kitchen. Be sure to see my Italian Fried Cod recipe!
When I’d get home from Catholic school, I’d smell it before I ever even got to the kitchen. Of course I’d give her a hard time about the smell but, she knew it was coming.
My mom and aunt would make different types of fish for the dinner table such as white fish, eel, cod, and whatever else they liked at the time and was on sale at the grocery store.
One of my favorites is chilled Italian seafood salad! It has olives, olive oil, calamari, shrimp, fresh parsley and little bit of vinegar. It’s so good!
The Italian-American Christmas Eve Tradition
As Italian-Americans have continued the tradition, they have incorporated some American seafood favorites into their Feast of the Seven Fishes Christmas Eve Dinner.
Some of my American favorites are Maryland Crab Cakes, shrimp cocktail and broiled lobster tails, that I hope to find on sale. It’s similar to the Italian-Americans serving a pasta course, such as lasagna, on Thanksgiving.
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Why do Italian Americans eat fish and seafood on Christmas Eve?
In Italy, the practice of eating fish and seafood on Christmas Eve varies by region but is commonly called La Vigilia (The Vigil). The vigil refers to waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ.
Italian Catholics make a feast of fish and seafood for the Christmas Eve dinner. There is no meat eaten at this meal.
In southern Italy, my family showed me the fresh eel, still swimming in the tub of water, that was going to be served within hours at our Christmas Eve dinner.
While the number of “seven” seafood dishes isn’t a universal Italian custom in Italy, it holds symbolic significance in the Roman Catholic Church such as the seven sacraments, seven days of creation, seven virtues and seven deadly sins.
In many Italian regions, families eat a variety of seafood dishes on Christmas Eve, but the specific tradition of preparing seven types of fish seems to have been amplified and solidified by Italian immigrants in America.
When Italian immigrants settled in the United States, they brought their traditions with them, just like all of the other immigrants that came here. Over time, the Seven Fishes tradition became a distinctively Italian-American way of preserving cultural identity while celebrating Christmas.
It likely gained prominence due to the immigrant desire to maintain ties to their heritage and to create meaningful, festive celebrations in their new country. These celebrations and traditions carry on from generation to generation.
7 Fishes Christmas Eve Italian Recipes
Typically, as I’ve mentioned above, this traditional, abundant Christmas Eve fish and seafood meal is served in courses and is a meatless meal. To practice this tradition, you just need a total of seven fish or seafood dishes in the meal.
It can be spread out throughout the meal so keep that in mind when you’re choosing your dishes.
It’s best to get your fish and seafood as fresh as possible! It makes a big difference in the flavor and will last longer if not eaten the same day. If it’s not possible or very inconvenient to get it fresh, buy high quality frozen seafood and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Italian Tradition
In Italy, holiday meals consist of several courses. At a minimum, they’ll have an antipasti (appetizers) course followed by a pasta course followed by the main dish, then the salad, then fruit and then dessert with espresso. White wine will be served during the meal and homemade limoncello at the end.
They may have two antipasti courses and perhaps a cheese course too. I’ve been to ten course meals that take hours to eat but, it seems they’ve scaled back a bit over the years.
Over the years, they’ve started incorporating American traditions into theirs by adding buffets and family style meals where all the food is brought to the table at once instead of in courses.
Italian-American traditions have evolved into some Italian and some American favorites so, you do what you like because, after all, it’s your Christmas Eve dinner and you should be happy with it.
Antipasti Course
Antipasti is the Italian word for “appetizers” is the first course, which includes anything served before the pasta. It can be an antipasto platter (without meat,) soup, or appetizers.
Antipasti Seafood and Shellfish Ideas
- Shrimp scampi
- Fried Calamari Rings
- Baked Stuffed Scallops or sauteed scallops
- Cold Italian seafood salad
- Shrimp Cocktail- It’s one of my family’s favorites and is one you can buy already prepared so you have less preparation to do for this big feast.
- Sauteed Calamari is a splendid antipasto for this special seafood meal. Calamari rings can be grilled or sauteed too but, I love it fried. Serve it with quartered lemons or American style with marinara or a sweet dipping sauce.
- Baked Stuffed Scallops
- Grilled or raw oysters
Antipasti (Vegetarian)
EASY Olive Tapenade Recipe without Anchovies (Vegan)
Sun Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini
Soup suggestions
Easy Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup + VIDEO
Authentic Italian Pasta Fagioli Recipe
Zuppa di pesce
Chioppino
Seafood Brodetto
Pasta Course
Of course there’s always a pasta course at an Italian Christmas Eve dinner. Feel free to serve more than one pasta type such as one vegetarian and one seafood pasta dish. I’ve included both seafood pasta dishes below and ones without to accommodate vegetarians and those who must have baked ziti or stuffed shells.
Seafood Pasta Dishes
Seafood Pasta Dishes
Spaghetti with Clam Sauce Recipe Spaghetti alle Vongole or Linguine in White Clam Sauce (easy)
Easy Calamari Pasta with Garlic White Wine Sauce
Easy Zucchini Penne Pasta with Shrimp Recipe
Garlic Lemon Sauteed Scallops with Pasta Recipe
Frutti di Mare (meaning fruit of the sea) is a popular Italian seafood pasta dish consisting of but, not limited to: shrimp, mussels, prawns, squid and clams served in pasta with a red sauce, usually arrabbiata, which literally means angry but, the meaning is spicy.
Pasta Dishes without Seafood (Vegetarian)
Incorporating pasta dishes without fish and seafood is good for variety and when you have vegetarians or those who are allergic to seafood and shellfish at your holiday table. Below are some ideas for meatless dishes that do not include fish or seafood.
Hot Pasta (Vegetarian)
If you’re doing a pasta course, there are many suggestions that don’t include fish or seafood for those who don’t like it.
Baked Ziti with Ricotta Cheese is perfect because it has no meat and is delicious comfort food. It’s also one of my most popular recipes and was featured on a Philly radio station where the judges raved so much, the next contestant didn’t want to come on air because she said it sounded like their minds were already made up!
Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
Authentic Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi Easy Recipe
Homemade Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Ravioli Recipe
Italian Stuffed Shells with Ricotta Cheese (Vegetarian)
Easy Creamy Garlic Mushroom Gnocchi Recipe
Easy and Classic Cacio e Peppe Pasta
Quick and Easy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo Recipe
Easy Cheesy Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Casserole Recipe
Cold Pasta Salad (Vegetarian)
Cold pasta salads are great for make ahead dishes and are perfect for buffet style dinners.
Easy Parmesan Bow Tie Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
Fish or Seafood Main Course Dishes
The third course will be the main dish made with white fish, such as cod, flounder or halibut or a more affordable one like tilapia (a.k.a. known as Jesus fish) or salmon or stuffed calamari. You can fry, bake or even air fry the fish.
If you choose to fry the fish, I suggest using a hot plate and frying it outside! It will leave your house without the smell of fried fish, which is especially hard to rid in the winter months.
Fish Main Dish suggestions
This pan-fried cod recipe is delicious and flaky with a crispy exterior. It’s a great choice for your Feast of the Seven Fishes Italian Christmas Eve Dinner or anytime you want an easy weeknight meal.
Easy Baked Italian Cod with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe is made all in one pan with easy clean up!
Sauteed Flounder with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
Baked Italian Stuffed Scallops with Shrimp Recipe
Roasted Tilapia and Broccoli and Cherry Tomatoes
Maryland Lump Crab Cakes with Spicy Tartar Sauce (I always make these for Christmas Eve because they’re my favorite, albeit not Italian.)
Vegetable Side Dishes
No meal is complete without vegetable side dishes! Below are some of my some of my most popular Italian side dishes and other favored suggestions from potatoes to green vegetables.
Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes + VIDEO
4-Ingredient Italian Fried Eggplant
Sauteed Rapini with Garlic and Lemon (pictured above)
Easy Italian Long Sweet Peppers Fried in Olive Oil
Air Fryer Parmesan Green Beans
Easy Escarole Sauteed with Garlic Recipe
Italian Sauteed Broccoli and Asparagus with Parmesan
Easy and Best Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Salad Course (Leafy Green Salad)
In Italy, a simple green salad with Romaine lettuce or escarole with EVOO, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar or lemon juice and salt is a common salad to eat with fish.
Easy Arugula Salad with Lemon Dressing and Shaved Parmesan
Easy Escarole Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette Dressing
Fruit Course
Easy Italian Fruit Salad (Macedonia)
Italian Desserts
At the end of this impressive meal, serve Italian desserts such as:
Best and Easy Italian Cannoli Dip Dessert
Lemon Cheesecake (It’s technically not Italian but, is identified as being Italian and very popular!)
Italian Cookies
Italian Christmas cookies are a wonderful gift to give to neighbors, teachers, friends and family. They will love receiving homemade gifts. Put them in festive tins or cookie boxes.
Good Italian Anise Christmas Cookies Recipe (pictured above) This cookie recipe went viral in Dec 2023!
Best Italian Glazed Lemon Cookies Recipe
Best Easy Italian Pignoli (Pine Nut) Cookie Recipe
Traditional Italian Butter Cookies (pictured above) They make a festive presentation for any holiday table and taste delicious!
Easy and Soft Italian Lemon Amaretti Cookies Recipe (pictured above)
Easy and Chewy Italian Amaretti di Saronno Cookies Recipe
Biscotti
Chocolate-Dipped Amaretto Biscotti
Simple and Easy Italian Lemon Biscotti with Glaze Recipe
Easy Espresso Chocolate Chip Biscotti
Pizzelles
Chocolate Pizzelles with Cream Cheese Cannoli Filling
Pistachio Cream Pizzelles Italian Dessert
See more COOKIE RECIPES!
The Feast of the Seven Fishes remains an Italian-American tradition and for good reason. Family is everything.
Therefore, enjoy these 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Italian recipes with your family this holiday season and embrace the Italian-American celebration of our rich heritage and family closeness.
Buon Natale (Merry Christmas) e mangate bene (eat well all)!
See more ITALIAN RECIPES.
See more FISH AND SEAFOOD RECIPES and PASTA RECIPES!
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