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Italian Christmas Eve
"LA VIGILIA DI NATALE"
In Italian, Christmas Eve is "La Vigilia," the eve. Traditionally the dinner is meatless and fish dishes dominate.
Every region, city, and country town in Italy has ritual foods that are served. Many people prepare Christmas
Eve dinners with a required number of courses that range from 7 to 9. The number seven represents the 7
sacraments and nine for the Trinity multiplied by 3. Over the years the number of courses served by most
Italian families has decreased, but fish still remains the main feature of the meal.
Eve dinners with a required number of courses that range from 7 to 9. The number seven represents the 7
sacraments and nine for the Trinity multiplied by 3. Over the years the number of courses served by most
Italian families has decreased, but fish still remains the main feature of the meal.
In Italy, eel is regarded as a delicacy and a must for Christmas Eve. We have provided a recipe for it
although it is difficult to find in many seafood markets in the US. Some of these dishes can be prepared
ahead, such as the Mixed Seafood Salad, which actually improves in flavor if it is made in advance.
Also, the sardines in the dish Pasta with Sardines can be cooked ahead and refrigerated, then reheated
while the pasta is cooking.
although it is difficult to find in many seafood markets in the US. Some of these dishes can be prepared
ahead, such as the Mixed Seafood Salad, which actually improves in flavor if it is made in advance.
Also, the sardines in the dish Pasta with Sardines can be cooked ahead and refrigerated, then reheated
while the pasta is cooking.
If you are serving several courses, choose a well-balanced selection of dishes using a variety of different fish and shellfish - an appetizer, a soup, a salad,
a fried fish, a baked, grilled, or stewed fish, and a pasta dish. For a simpler meal, prepare just one course and serve with a crusty Italian bread and a mixed
green salad.
a fried fish, a baked, grilled, or stewed fish, and a pasta dish. For a simpler meal, prepare just one course and serve with a crusty Italian bread and a mixed
green salad.
Whipped Baccala
Clams Oregano Dip
Bagna Cauda
Crisp Sardine Twists
Zuppa di Pesce
Seafood Stew
Seafood Risotto
Calamari Salad
Mixed Seafood Salad
Shrimp and Orange Salad
Fried Eel
Fried Baccala
Fritto Misto di Pesce
Fried Calamari
Sole with Lemon and Butter Sauce
Stuffed Squid
Grilled Swordfish
Stewed Cod
Christmas Eve Lasagne from the Piedmont
Pasta with Sardines
| Mangia Bene Pasta |
| Chi mangia bene, vive bene Who eats well, lives well |
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