The holidays are a magical time and to the Italians, La Vigilia (the vigil) is considered the most magical and festive night of the year.
Italians share a rich culture, a zest for life, a love of good food, and strong religious and family values.
Holiday meals are an integral part of our social culture, and while every culture has its own traditions, no culture celebrates tradition with more passion than the Italians.
Christmas Eve is a special time for family and friends to gather together to celebrate, reminisce about the past, create new memories and share a delicious meal of seasonal foods.
Cena della Vigilia (the dinner of the vigil), the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner, known as Festa dei Sette Pesci or Feast of the Seven Fishes, is a meal without meat, honoring the midnight birth of the baby Jesus; a custom that originated in southern Italy and has since spread throughout Italy and around the world.
Today many Italians and Italian-Americans still celebrate this old-world custom that has been handed down from generation to generation.
There are several religious theories that support the origin of this symbolic feast but the most popular belief is that the seven fishes signify the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.
The meal is also believed to bring buona fortuna (good fortune) in the New Year.
In order to honor this ancient tradition, a variety of seven different fish must be served, and while the menu and preparation varies from region to region and family to family, traditionally it is a meal that begins with antipastos and bread, soup and salad, an abundant feast of seven types of fish, pastas, vegetables and ending with an assortment of dolce served with espresso, Anisette or Sambuca.
This celebratory feast captures the spirit of Christmas and offers Italians a chance to unite with their families while honoring their faith.
However you celebrate this season of miracles, may you be surrounded by the love of family and friends, and may the spirit of Christmas fill your heart with peace, joy and hope for the new year.
Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo!
Italians share a rich culture, a zest for life, a love of good food, and strong religious and family values.
Holiday meals are an integral part of our social culture, and while every culture has its own traditions, no culture celebrates tradition with more passion than the Italians.
Christmas Eve is a special time for family and friends to gather together to celebrate, reminisce about the past, create new memories and share a delicious meal of seasonal foods.
Cena della Vigilia (the dinner of the vigil), the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner, known as Festa dei Sette Pesci or Feast of the Seven Fishes, is a meal without meat, honoring the midnight birth of the baby Jesus; a custom that originated in southern Italy and has since spread throughout Italy and around the world.
Today many Italians and Italian-Americans still celebrate this old-world custom that has been handed down from generation to generation.
There are several religious theories that support the origin of this symbolic feast but the most popular belief is that the seven fishes signify the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.
The meal is also believed to bring buona fortuna (good fortune) in the New Year.
In order to honor this ancient tradition, a variety of seven different fish must be served, and while the menu and preparation varies from region to region and family to family, traditionally it is a meal that begins with antipastos and bread, soup and salad, an abundant feast of seven types of fish, pastas, vegetables and ending with an assortment of dolce served with espresso, Anisette or Sambuca.
This celebratory feast captures the spirit of Christmas and offers Italians a chance to unite with their families while honoring their faith.
However you celebrate this season of miracles, may you be surrounded by the love of family and friends, and may the spirit of Christmas fill your heart with peace, joy and hope for the new year.
Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo!
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