Christmas Eve in Italy

Christmas is observed very religiously in Italy. The entire Christmas season in the country is filled with musical and singing events.
Homes, shops and streets wear a decorative look on Christmas. On the day before Christmas, people fast. This day-long fasting is followed by Christmas Eve dinner. The Christmas Eve dinner in Italy is called Cennone. This dinner includes fish (no meat), fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, cakes and special sweets.

In Italy, the Christmas Eve is regarded as a Holy Day as the day marks the eve of the birth of Jesus. Christmas Eve in Italy is known as The Vigil or La Vigila. The day is celebrated as a feast day. The day is celebrated with much vigor and pomp throughout Italy. In the southern part of the country, the La Vigilia is celebrated with preparation of odd number of dishes of fish. For more than a century, meat has been forbidden from Christmas Eve menu in Italy. Instead, special dishes of fish are prepared for this occasion.

Features of Christmas Eve in Italy

Major feature of the Christmas Eve in Italy is Christmas Eve dinner. Traditionally, fish dishes dominate and the dinner is meatless. In different parts of the country, some local dishes are also prepared on the occasion. Generally, feasts of 7, 9, 11 and 13 fish dishes are arranged. The number Seven symbolizes The Seven Sacraments, number Nine signifies the Trinity multiplied by 3. Whereas, number Thirteen symbolizes twelve Apostles plus Jesus and the number Eleven signifies twelve Apostles minus Judas.

However, number of dishes served by the Italian families in modern times has decreased. But, still fish dominates the Italian Christmas Eve dinner. One more thing which must figure in the Christmas Eve dinner in Italy is eel. Mixed Seafood Salad is also served sometimes. This can be prepared in advance. Also sardine dishes with pasta can also be prepared in advance. It is recommended that the ideal dish should be a balanced one. It should include a variety of fish and shellfish. A fried fish, a baked, grilled, or stewed fish, and a pasta dish, an appetizer, a soup, a salad should be there in an ideal Christmas Eve dinner. You can also prepare a very simple meal for the occasion of Christmas Eve in Italy””arrange just one course and serve the dish with crusty Italian bread along with green salad.

Christmas Eve Recipes

Dinner in the Christmas Eve in Italy may consist of the following food items.

Appetizers

Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Clams Oregano Dip
Shrimp and Cannellini Bean Bruschetta
Baked Oysters with Breadcrumbs and Garlic
Lobster and Potato
Stuffed Mussels
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Bagna Cauda
Crisp Sardine Twists
Whipped Baccala

Salads

Calamari or Scungilli Salad
Seafood Rice Salad
Octopus Salad (Insalata di Polpo)
Mixed Seafood Salad (Insalata di Frutti di Mar)
Baccala Salad
Tuna with Beans
Shrimp and Orange Salad

Soups and Risotto

Christmas Eve Seafood Soup
Mariner-Style Risotto with Tomatoes
Risotto with Shrimp and Champagne
Seafood Stew
Seafood Risotto
Zuppa di Pesce

Scallops, clams, mussels, oysters, and scungilli

Orange Scallops
Scungilli in Hot Sauce
Mussels and Leeks
Spicy Scungilli Fritters
Oysters with Pesto
Baked Mussels
Steamed Clams with Garlic and Tomatoes
Clams in Tomato Sauce
Oysters in Green Sauce
Baked Scallops with Marsala and Almonds

Fried, baked, grilled, stewed, and sauteed fish

Fried Eel
Fried Calamari
Baccala with Potatoes and Tomatoes
Fried Baccala
Stuffed Squid
Stewed Fresh Cod
Baked Salmon with Pistachio-Basil Butter
Grilled Halibut with Pesto
Grilled Swordfish
Sole with Lemon and Butter Sauce
Fritto Misto di Pesce
Tuna Meatballs

Shrimp, lobster, and crab

Shrimp and Scallops on a Skewer (Spiedini di Mare)
Batter Fried Shrimp and Calamari
Grilled Lobster
Lobster Fra Diavolo
Soft Shell Crabs with Garlic Butter
Baked Stuffed Lobster Tails
Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Crab Cakes
Shrimp in Tomato, Caper, and Pine Nut Sauce

Pasta with seafood

Fettuccine with Lobster Cream Sauce
Seafood Lasagna
Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops over Linguine
Crabmeat Ravioli
Penne with Broccoli and Tuna
Spaghetti allo Scoglio
Linguine with Marechiaro Sauce
More Pasta with Seafood Recipes
Christmas Eve Lasagne from the Piedmont
Linguine with White Clam Sauce
Pasta with Sardines
Shrimp with Garlic, Lemon, and Butter (Shrimp Scampi)
Pasta with Bottarga

Stuffed calamari recipes

Calamari Stuffed with Bread Crumbs, Pine Nuts, and Raisins
Calamari Stuffed with Porcini Mushrooms, Bread, and Cheese
Rice-Stuffed Calamari
Seafood-Stuffed Calamari
Cheese-Stuffed Calamari