What are the "seven fishes" that many Italians eat on Christmas Eve, and what is the significance of this tradition?

peasypod

I guess you are talking about "La Vigilia". The seven 'fishes' represent the 7 sacraments of the Catholic Church, and the 7 days of creation. My family had prawns, calamari, scallops, baked Trout, Pasta alla Vongole (baby clams), Crayfish, and Alfonsino. Dec 27 04, 4:41 PM

MrsAce

It has the same significance as no meat on Friday, a fast on Christmas Eve. http://italianfood.about.com/library/weekly/aa121698.htm Dec 27 04, 7:17 PM

bipolar

The components to the meal are similar for most families as there are always some seven combinations of: anchovies, sardines, dried salt cod, smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, oysters, and clams. In the mix are pastas, vegetables, baked or fried kale patties, baked goods, and the pride-filled homemade wine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_seven_fishes Jan 25 08, 6:09 PM

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