Grace Thompson
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition involving a meatless dinner composed of seven different seafood dishes. The celebration is believed to have originated from the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would eat fish (typically fried in oil) instead. The number seven is considered symbolic, with some speculating that it refers to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church or the seven hills of Rome.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of celebration | Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Number of seafood dishes | Seven, but can be any odd number |
| Food items | Anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, baccalà (dried salt cod), smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, clams, pasta, vegetables, baked goods, wine, etc. |
| Origin | Unclear, but likely brought to the U.S. by Italian immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries |
| Religious significance | Number seven may refer to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven deadly sins, or the seven hills of Rome |
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What You'll Learn
The feast is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition
The Feast of the Seven Fishes, or "Festa dei sette pesci" in Italian, is a beloved Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition. The feast consists of seven different seafood dishes or one or two types of fish prepared in seven different ways. The meal is believed to have originated from the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would eat fish (typically fried in oil).
The number seven is considered symbolic, though its exact meaning is unknown. It may refer to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven hills of Rome, or the seven deadly sins. The tradition of eating seven types of seafood on Christmas Eve is unique to Italian Americans and is not commonly known in Italy.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a way for Italian Americans to connect with their heritage and strengthen family bonds. The menu may include dishes such as baccalà (salted cod fish), fried smelts, calamari, anchovies, lobster, sardines, shrimp, mussels, and clams. The meal may also be accompanied by pasta, vegetables, baked goods, and wine.
The tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes has evolved over time, with some modern-day Italian Americans putting their own twists on the classic dishes. While the specific dishes may vary, the feast remains a cherished tradition, bringing families together on Christmas Eve to celebrate their cultural heritage.
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It stems from Roman Catholic practice
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition. It involves the serving of a meatless dinner composed of seven different dishes of fish. The feast is considered one of the most Italian traditions, although many Italians do not know about it. The feast is believed to have evolved from the Roman Catholic practice of fasting before the observance of certain feast days, including Christmas.
On the eve of feast days, observant Catholics abstain from eating meat and animal fat. Instead, they eat fish, typically fried in oil. The number seven may also have religious ties, referring to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven hills of Rome, the seven virtues, or the "seventh day of rest" from the Bible. In the Bible, Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd with seven loaves and fishes, promising his disciples an abundance of followers when he commands them to be "fishers of men".
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is believed to have originated among Italian immigrants from Sicily and other southern regions of Italy in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Southern Italy, seafood was abundant and relatively cheap, so it became customary for families to break their fast with a large meal of fish. The first known printed mention of the feast appeared in a Philadelphia newspaper in the 1980s.
Today, the feast is a popular tradition among Italian-Americans, with many variations on the menu. Some traditional dishes include baccalà (salted cod fish), calamari, anchovies, lobster, sardines, smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, and clams. The feast is often a family affair, with generations of cooks in the kitchen and favourite dishes returning year after year.
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The meal includes seven different seafood dishes
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a celebration of Christmas Eve with dishes of fish and other seafood. The meal includes seven different seafood dishes, although some families do not count the number of fish dishes. The number seven may have religious ties, such as the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven hills of Rome, or the "seventh day of rest" from the Bible. The meal's components may include some combination of anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, baccalà (dried salted cod), smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, and clams.
The tradition stems from the Roman Catholic observance of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would instead eat fish (typically fried in oil). The practice of eating fish on Christmas Eve is particularly associated with southern Italy, where seafood was abundant and relatively cheap. Over time, the tradition evolved into a more extravagant meal among Italian Americans, who may have embraced it as a marker of identity.
Some of the dishes that are traditionally served during the feast include:
- Baccalà (salted codfish)
- Fried smelts
- Calamari
- Stuffed escarole
- Scungilli (conch) in a chilled seafood salad
- Clams oreganata
- Lobster
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The number seven has religious significance
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a Christmas Eve celebration in which seven different seafood dishes are served. The tradition stems from the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would eat fish (usually fried in oil). While the origins of the term "Feast of the Seven Fishes" are unclear, the number seven may have religious significance.
The number seven is significant in Catholicism and Christianity more broadly for several reasons. Firstly, it could refer to the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, which are sacred rituals that mark important stages in the spiritual lives of Catholics. These seven sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
Secondly, the number seven could relate to the seven deadly sins, a list created by the Catholic Church around the 4th century AD. These seven sins, or attitudes, are considered the starting points that lead to greater disobedience. The seven deadly sins are wrath, greed, lust, pride, envy, sloth, and gluttony.
Thirdly, the number seven could symbolize the concept of the "seventh day of rest" from the Bible. In the creation narrative, God rested on the seventh day after completing the work of creation, blessing and sanctifying that day. This idea of a seventh day of rest is reflected in the Sabbath tradition, where one day a week is set aside for rest and worship.
Additionally, there are other possible interpretations of the number seven in a religious context. Some suggest it could refer to the seven hills of Rome, or it may relate to the seven virtues, although this is less commonly cited as a specific religious connection.
While the exact reason for the number seven in the Feast of Seven Fishes may be ambiguous, it is clear that the number holds religious significance in Catholicism and Christianity, often symbolizing completeness, perfection, and spiritual fulfillment.
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It's also referred to as 'La Vigilia'
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a Christmas Eve celebration, particularly among Italian Americans. It is also referred to as La Vigilia, La Vigilia di Natale, La Cena Della Vigilia, Il Cenone, or La Vigilia di Natale. The feast is centred on seafood dishes, with seven being the traditional number of dishes served. The number seven may be linked to the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven hills of Rome, the seven days of creation, the seven deadly sins, or the "seventh day of rest" from the Bible.
The tradition is believed to have originated in the early 20th century among southern Italian and Sicilian immigrants in the United States. It is thought that these immigrants prepared a feast of seafood dishes to soothe their homesickness during the holiday season. The use of seafood may also represent the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat in the days leading up to Christmas.
The feast typically includes a variety of seafood dishes such as anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, baccalà (dried salt cod), smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, and clams. The meal may also include pasta, vegetables, baked goods, and wine. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate their heritage and traditions.
While the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a beloved tradition among Italian Americans, it is relatively unknown to Italians living in Italy. The specific number of dishes and the types of seafood can vary between families, with some opting for a smaller or larger number of seafood dishes. Nonetheless, La Vigilia has become an international celebration, bringing people together to enjoy delicious food and create lasting memories.
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Frequently asked questions
The Feast of Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition that involves eating seven different seafood dishes. It is believed to have originated from the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day.
Some traditional dishes include baccalà (salted cod fish), fried smelts, calamari, scungilli (conch), mussels, shrimp, lobster, and pasta with seafood sauce.
The number seven is considered symbolic and may be related to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven hills of Rome, or the seven deadly sins in Catholicism. It is also believed that the number seven represents abundance and plenty, as seen in the biblical story of Jesus feeding a crowd with seven loaves and fishes.
