Ciao Mangia! GET READY FOR “THE FEAST” OF 7, 9, 12, 13, OR MORE FRESH FISH AND SEAFOOD ON CHRISTMAS EVE! SOME CATERERS AND RESTAURANTS SELL BUCKETS OF FRESH-COOKED FISH AND SEAFOOD TO CELEBRATE “THE FEAST” AT HOME, OR OFFER A SPECIAL MENU AT THEIR RESTAURANT… BUON NATALE!
#taste518 #tasteandshopusa #foodtraditions
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ABOUT THE FEAST of 7, 9, 12, or 13 FISHES!
The Feast of the Seven Fishes (La Vigilia) originated in Southern Italy as a Christmas Eve tradition of abstaining from meat (a Roman Catholic fast) and eating fish instead, but the specific “seven fishes” concept is an ITALIAN-AMERICAN invention, becoming popular in the U.S. in the early 20th century… As Italian immigrants sought to connect with their homeland of Southern Italy, while living in America, the number seven symbolized their religious connection to the Roman Catholic Church’s “seven (7) sacraments”.
Some people associate The Feast of the Seven Fishes with the Creation account in the Holy Bible rather than the “seven sacraments,” as not all Italians are Roman Catholic… For instance, my late dad, who served in Sicily, Italy, where he learned to cook Italian cuisine based upon classic fish dishes loved by people of Southern Italy, was Protestant. So, he and Protestant churches only recognize two [2] sacraments, Baptism and The Lord’s Supper, aka The Lord’s Table.
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When my father returned to the United States after World War II, he migrated to the Capital District and sought out fresh fish and seafood markets like COUSINS SEAFOOD in Albany, New York, which is now closed. Dad loved to make SARDINES & RICE, PINK SALMON & POLENTA, and MACKEREL & PASTA. My father also made one of the best Bolognese sauces with various cuts of beef, pork, pepperoni, sausage, anchovies, garlic, and tomato.
Dad always started his SUNDAY GRAVY by sautรฉeing minced garlic, minced anchovy, and bay leaf in extra-virgin olive oil before adding Pelati Pomodore (peeled Italian tomatoes), as well as crushed Italian tomatoes, before adding the beef, pork, sausage, pepperoni, and Italian spices to his braggadocio Bolognese ragรน and Sunday Gravy.
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Dad purchased PORGY FISH, MACKEREL, SARDINES, BARRAMUNDI, BRONZINO, CALAMARI, CROAKERS, SHRIMP, BACCALA, SCUNGILLI, BLACK SEA BASS, RED SNAPPER, SMELTS, BLUE FISH, WHITING FISH, and TILAPIA, known as “The JESUS FISH. In fact, families in Italy never had a strict number of fish; sometimes they would eat 13, 12, 9, or more fish dishes…
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“THE CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST” IS NOW A SECULAR TRADITION
The Italian American tradition of “THE FEAST OF 7, 9, 12, and 13 FISH” became a secularized lavish SEAFOOD EXTRAVAGANZA CELEBRATION to enjoy with family and guests…
Go shopping early at the fresh fish and seafood market in the region, and plan THE FEAST of 7, 9, 12, 13, or MORE FISH menu with meat dishes and vegetarian options.
SOME CATERERS AND RESTAURANTS SELL BUCKETS OF FISH AND SEAFOOD TO CELEBRATE “THE FEAST” AT HOME, OR OFFER A SPECIAL MENU AT THEIR RESTAURANT… MAKE SURE TO HAVE MEAT & VEGETABLE DISHES!
Many Italian delicatessens sell Baccala (salted and dried cod fish), frozen fish and seafood (especailly calamari, pulpo, also known as octopus), and cans of Scungilli (cooked and tenderized Conch meat), anchovies in oil, white anchovies, and White Tonna in oil (Albacore tuna, the only species legally allowed to be called white tuna, known for its mild flavor and firm texture). ALL these fish and seafood items are excellent for making our Taste of Schenectadyยฎ and BEYONDโข cold marinated Baccala Insalata with Cannellini Beans & Italian Sofrito, our Pulpo (marinated Octopus) Insalata with Bucatini pasta, and our cold marinated Italian Scungilli (sliced Conch) Insalata.
“The Feast of the Seven Fishes” can easily include meat dishes to accompany your FEAST, such as Arancini filled with beef and sausage ragu with Puttanesca Sauce, Italian meatballs, Sausage & Peppers, Meat & Ricotta Cheese Lasagna โ after all, not everyone enjoys eating fish and seafood. And, not all Italian Americans celebrate The Feast of Seven Fishes. However, if you would like to add this tradition to your family’s holiday celebration, make sure to have plenty of side dishes like Broccoli Rabe, Ratatouille, and pasta and sauce… Risotto Milanese with Grilled Prawns is excellent. And, do not forget to have crusty Italian bread to soak up the mouth-watering juices from the fish and seafood, and of course, that homemade, canned, or jarred red tomato gravy, Marinara sauce, and/or Puttanesca sauce.
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HERE ARE SEVERAL FISH AND SEAFOOD DISHES TO MAKE FOR THE ITALIAN AMERICAN FEAST of 7, 9, 12, or 13 FISH… Make sure to #shoplocalsupportlocal fish & seafood markets.
Check out our Gourmet Food and Specialty Guide in Taste of Schenectadyยฎ and BEYONDโข / Taste and Shopโข magazine for a listing of fresh fish and seafood shops in the Capital District.
FIND OUT MORE at https://tasteandshop.com
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