I grew up in an Italian American household in New Jersey, the place’s it’s virtually the legislation to have a good time Christmas Eve with the so-called “Feast of Seven Fishes.” Nobody is aware of why we eat seven sorts of seafood (although the repetition of seven within the Bible may very well be a motive), although it’s clearly a Catholic customized to abstain from meat on sacred days. I typically joke that if you happen to solely served 7 kinds of fish on December 24 in Italy nobody would settle for an encore go to to your paltry unfold. The reality is, nobody right here is definitely counting, however if you happen to’re eating within the south you’ll be able to wager your baccalà there’s gonna be a really intensive unfold, typically that includes a dozen or extra kinds of fish. Issues are a bit extra restrained within the north, the place it’s possible you’ll even discover some meat on the desk. I attempt to keep true to my Jersey Italian roots and serve the prescribed sum. Whether or not you’re capping your fish menu at seven or shopping for out the complete fish market, I’m sharing a few of my favourite pescatarian recipes with you right here. Auguri!
Stuffed Calamari: Stuffing calamari our bodies with seasoned breadcrumbs and their very own chopped up legs is savage however scrumptious!
Pasta with Pesto and Tuna in the Style of Carloforte: This Sardinian basic from the tiny fishing island of San Pietro marries the Ligurian origins of San Pietro’s settlers with the native tinned fish business.
Octopus and Potato Salad: You would possibly wish to skip the inexperienced beans within the useless of winter, however in any other case this recipe is a winner!
Spaghetti with Clams: Perhaps my favourite factor ever. Additionally not the toughest factor to make for lots of people!
Fregula with Clams: Sardegna’s reply to spaghetti alle vongole that includes the island’s pearl couscous and even simpler to make for a crowd!
Bigoli in Salsa: Pasta with anchovy and onion sauce from the quilt of Meals of the Italian Islands! Should you don’t have bigoli (until you’re in Venice, the percentages are you received’t), simply use spaghetti.
Swordfish Balls: Swap meat for swordfish (or tuna, or amberjack, or no matter you like) on this basic Sicilian starter or most important.
Candida Sportiello’s Pesce all’Acqua Pazza: The late chef from Ventotene made my favourite fish stew ever.
Stuffed Mussels: Two fish in a single…there’s canned tuna within the filling, which sounds insane however is definitely scrumptious!
Completely happy Feast of Seven Fishes to all who observe!
