Deadly Sushi
Formerly The Giant Mojito
Thought this might be interesting. I dont celebrate this and my family never has because we were from Calabria Italy.. not Sicily. BTW.. people from Italy regard all people from Sicily as either evil, or jerks. The Italian mafia mainly came from that area. Maybe thats why. I dont dislike people that originated from there, but I thought it might interest you folks. 
Feast of the 7 Fishes
It is tradition that the Sicilians (and some Italians) have a 7 fish dinner on Christmas Eve. Some think that it is perhaps one representing each day of the week, but most traditions come from the observance of the Cena della Vigilia, the wait for the miraculous birth of Christ in which early Christians Catholics fasted on Christmas Eve until after receiving communion at Midnight Mass. In later years it became a penitential day, meaning that all foods except meat were allowed. Other theories include are that there would be served three fish dishes representing the three Wise Men or the Holy Trinity while in some there may have been as many as thirteen, one for each of the apostles plus one for Jesus. Each family and each sect of the Italian culture is different, (the fish they say is from a tradition those from Naples brought over), it also depends on what was available in various parts of Italy. In most of the southern coastal regions in Italy and Sicily, seafood was abundant and so the perfect opportunity to work fish into the menu for this festive day. Others have 9 Fish, and yet others 12 types for the representation of the original 12 apostles. In any case, its all fish, don't forget that.
Feast of the 7 Fishes
It is tradition that the Sicilians (and some Italians) have a 7 fish dinner on Christmas Eve. Some think that it is perhaps one representing each day of the week, but most traditions come from the observance of the Cena della Vigilia, the wait for the miraculous birth of Christ in which early Christians Catholics fasted on Christmas Eve until after receiving communion at Midnight Mass. In later years it became a penitential day, meaning that all foods except meat were allowed. Other theories include are that there would be served three fish dishes representing the three Wise Men or the Holy Trinity while in some there may have been as many as thirteen, one for each of the apostles plus one for Jesus. Each family and each sect of the Italian culture is different, (the fish they say is from a tradition those from Naples brought over), it also depends on what was available in various parts of Italy. In most of the southern coastal regions in Italy and Sicily, seafood was abundant and so the perfect opportunity to work fish into the menu for this festive day. Others have 9 Fish, and yet others 12 types for the representation of the original 12 apostles. In any case, its all fish, don't forget that.
Some Suggestions:
Antipasto Antipasto is basically an appetizer consisting of Mozzarella, Provolone, Olives, Roasted Peppers, Hot Peppers, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Fresh Italian/French Bread. Usually it would have meat such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, soprosata in it as well, but since its Christmas Eve, these meats should be absent from the large plate of these foods piled high.
Baccala A staple at any Christmas Eve dinner, it's a dried cod, and takes several days to prepare.
Calamari squid, boiled
Shrimp shellfish, boiled
Clams shellfish, steamed till they open
Crab shellfish, boiled
Whitefish, flounder or other type, bake in oven
Mussels/Oysters shellfish, steam until they open
The whitefish and baccala are usually fried. The calamari, clams and mussels are either simmered into tomato sauce and served over linguine or angel hair pasta, or boiled, steamed or baked as noted above. Some other dishes I have seen on the table:
Antipasto Antipasto is basically an appetizer consisting of Mozzarella, Provolone, Olives, Roasted Peppers, Hot Peppers, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Fresh Italian/French Bread. Usually it would have meat such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, soprosata in it as well, but since its Christmas Eve, these meats should be absent from the large plate of these foods piled high.
Baccala A staple at any Christmas Eve dinner, it's a dried cod, and takes several days to prepare.
Calamari squid, boiled
Shrimp shellfish, boiled
Clams shellfish, steamed till they open
Crab shellfish, boiled
Whitefish, flounder or other type, bake in oven
Mussels/Oysters shellfish, steam until they open
The whitefish and baccala are usually fried. The calamari, clams and mussels are either simmered into tomato sauce and served over linguine or angel hair pasta, or boiled, steamed or baked as noted above. Some other dishes I have seen on the table:
- Lobster
- Lobster Ravioli
- Tuna Fish & Cannellini Beans
- Salmon & Chick Peas
- Mussels Marinara
- Fried Flounder Filet
- Fried Calamari
