The Feast of the Seven Fishes: Is This Famous Christmas Tradition Actually Italian?

For millions of Italian-Americans, Christmas Eve isn't complete without the Feast of the Seven Fishes. But what if this cherished tradition isn't quite as Italian as it sounds? The nostalgic, hours-long dinner is a cornerstone of Italian-American culture, yet most people in Italy have never heard of it. The real story is a fascinating blend of faith, poverty, and the creation of a new identity in a new world.

From Southern Italy's 'La Vigilia' to America

The tradition's origins lie in the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat on the eve of major holidays. On December 24, known as The Vigil (La Vigilia), observant Catholics would fast and then break it with a light, meatless meal. In Southern Italy, a region surrounded by coastline, this naturally meant fish. It was an affordable and plentiful option for a historically poorer part of the country.

After the unification of Italy in 1861, economic hardship drove a massive wave of emigration. Between 1880 and 1924, approximately 4 million Southern Italians moved to America, bringing their tradition of a fish-based Christmas Eve dinner with them. In the new world, this humble meal evolved into something much grander.

The Mystery of the Number 'Seven'

No one knows for sure where the 'seven' in the name came from. It's a distinctly American addition. Many believe it holds religious significance, as the number seven appears hundreds of times in the Bible. It could represent the seven sacraments, the seven virtues, or the day God rested after creation. A more cynical take suggests it was a marketing tool. Indeed, the earliest known mention of the phrase 'Feast of the Seven Fishes' in print is from a 1983 Philadelphia restaurant advertisement.

The beauty of the feast is its flexibility. There are no hard rules, and some families serve as many as 12 or 13 different dishes. Menus often feature staples like fried calamari, shrimp scampi, and baccalà (salted cod), but the most important ingredients are always family and friends.