7 Fish Feast For A Sumptuous & Traditional Start Of The Italian Holiday
Aside from Christmas, Italians commemorate another festival loaded with great food and merry making. Italian people particularly the Italian Christians observe this 1 night of festive and delicious fish dishes.
The night before Christmas, Italian Seven-Fishes-Feast is observed and enjoyed. This rich belief is considered a big gathering because families, friends and loved ones meet and share some sumptuous meals made from several kinds of fishes.
Almost all fishes found in the Mediterranean territory are served during this occasion. All kinds of fishes including Anchovies and Eel are prepared to bring color and fun to this special festivity. The special event is observed by almost all Italians all over the globe.
How The Celebration Started
There’s no definite explanation for the Seven-Fishes-Feast. Some people just merely give assumptions and opinions. Many agree that Seven-Fish-Feast is based on the number of days when God created Earth. Although no factual evidence can prove this notion, Italians who are Christians believe in it. Aside from this thought, many people claim the Seven-Fish-Feast is based on the 7 major sins of mankind.
Every fish symbolizes a sin. However, it’s another speculation. Regardless of how it started or where it was derived from, almost all Italians believe in celebrating this festivity event even if they’re in their country or overseas.
Delicious Recipes For The Unique Event
Just like other traditions and events, Seven-Fishes-Feast isn’t explained through science. No explanations on how and why this occasion exists. But believers of this tradition do not need any certain explanations about the occasion.
They prepare food and enjoy the festivity based on their understanding of the said tradition. They even prepare the yummy fish menus according to tastes and discretion. You cook or prepare the fishes according to your liking. There were no exact rules given on how you are going to prepare the menus.
Even if you make a yummy casserole dish of tasty Anchovies or sea bass coked using some kosher salt, one thing is common – everything is plain. You use recipes according to how you interpret the festivity. The rules aren’t cut and dried.
You are likely to savor several seafood recipes prepared and served during the occasion. The most important thing about this festivity is to bring relatives, friends and families together. The tasty fish menus are just bonuses they get from the great occasion. The important thing is all the family gathers.
Why Include Eel?
Technically, Eel cannot be classified as fish. However, Italians agree that Eel plays a vital part during the celebration during the night of Christmas. Eel recipes are commonly created using a special sauce which the party hosts prepares.
During the occasion, no guest will bring any Eel dishes since its part of their tradition to let the party host make this recipe. Everyone will have a chance to taste this delicious Eel menu and enjoy knowing it symbolizes fortune.
Savory Spinach Dip Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 c of thinly-sliced scallions
18 ounces of canned chestnuts (water); drained
10 ounces of frozen spinach; thawed, chopped, drained in colander
3 garlic cloves (large); peeled
1/2 c of tofu-mayonnaise
1 pack of onion-soup mix
1 pack of lite silken tofu; drained
Instructions:
Have tofu drained then pat them dry w/ paper-towels. Place in processor together w/ garlic, blend ’til smoothened. You add the mayonnaise & soup-mix then blend, throw spinach in & continue blending.
Add scallions & chestnuts then pulse ’til chunky. Store inside your fridge for 60 mins prior to using.
>> Savory Spinach Dip Recipe
Soba Noodle Soup with Turkey Recipe
Ingredients:
4 Tbsps of chopped cilantro
1 c of beansprouts
1 teaspoon of rice-vinegar
1 Tablespoon of soysauce
1/2 c of chopped turkey
1-inch pc whole ginger
3 minced scallions
4 c of chicken broth
1/2 pack of cooked soba-noodles
Instructions:
Have broth simmered w/ vinegar, soysauce, ginger, scallions & turkey about 10 mins. Then discard the ginger. You place the noodles onto 2 bowls w/ cilantro & sprouts . Add the broth then serve.
>> Soba Noodle Soup with Turkey Recipe
Maple & Rosemary Woven Salmon & Halibut Recipe
Ingredients:
Pepper
Salt
1 Tablespoon of arrow root powder in 2 Tbsps ice water
1/2 c of pure maple-flavored syrup
1/4 c of wine (red)
1/4 teaspoon of flaked red-chile pepper
1 Tablespoon of minced rosemary (fresh)
1 garlic clove; minced finely
2 teaspoons of shallots; minced
1 Tablespoon of butter
Toothpicks (wooden)
Mixed veggies (greens)
2 pounds of halibut; cut into 1/2″ strips
2 pounds of salmon; cut into 1/2″ strips
Instructions:
Weave stripped fish together then place on greased pan, do this at right-angles. You add 1 fish-strip, weave up & down then secure their ends w/ toothpicks.
Have oven preheated to four hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Have butter melted in saucepan set over mid-heat then add arrow root mixture, flaked chile, rosemary, garlic & shallots.
Strip & saute then add syrup & wine, mixing well. Add pepper & salt then simmer gently for a while for flavors to thoroughly combine.
Generously brush woven fish w/ glaze then place them on oven rack’s center. Roast ’til wanted doneness, brushing w/ glaze often.
Line plate edges w/ greens then place potato-dish above greens & fish.
>> Maple & Rosemary Woven Salmon & Halibut Recipe
Artichoke Parmesan Dip Recipe
Ingredients:
Lightly-toasted Frenchbread
Pepper
Salt
A dash hotsauce
1 chopped scallion
2 tsps of fresh juice of lemon
1 clove garlic; minced
1/4 c of canola-mayonnaise
1/2 c of grated cheese (Parmesan)
14 ounces of drained artichoke-hearts
8 ounces of creamcheese (Horizon-organic)
Instructions:
Combine pepper, salt, hotsauce, scallions, juice of lemon, mayonnaise, Parmesan, artichokes, creamcheese & garlic in processor, blend ’til smoothened. Serve at room-temp.
>> Artichoke Parmesan Dip Recipe
Mashed Potatoes with Yogurt & Parsnips Recipe
Ingredients:
Pepper
Salt
2 Tbsps of chopped chives
Half stick of butter; unsalted
1 & 1/2 c of plain nonfat yogurt at room-temp
2 pounds of peeled parsnips; cut onto 2″ pcs
6 pounds of peeled & quartered potatoes (russet)
Instructions:
Cook parsnips & potatoes in boiling water w/ salt for half an hour. Drain well then return them into pot. You mash parsnips & potatoes, adding butter & yogurt ’til mixture smoothened. Garnish w/ scallions or chives.
>> Mashed Potatoes with Yogurt & Parsnips Recipe
Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients:
Fresh ground pepper (black)
2 Tbsps of chopped parsley
1-2 c of warmed buttermilk
1 teaspoon of seasalt
1 stick of butter
2 garlic heads; tops removed
6 pounds of peeled potatoes (russet); quartered
Instructions:
Have oven preheated to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit. You wrap the garlic in oil then cook it in your oven for 50 mins ’til soft.
Meanwhile, wash & peel the potatoes then cover w/ water. You add the salt then heat ’til boiling. Simmer ’til tender, drain.
Have buttermilk heated over low-heat. You mash the potatoes, gradually adding buttermilk ’til wanted consistency. You squeeze garlic for cloves to slide. You add the potatoes & mash. Add pepper & salt as desired.
>> Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe