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The Feast of the Seven Fishes has become a Christmas Eve tradition for Italian-Americans, based on the Catholic practice of refraining from eating meat on that night.   Why seven? There's no definitive answer. In fact, not everyone limits themselves to that number. Some feasts will feature 10, 12 or 13 dishes. Aren't you glad we cleared all...

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This may seem odd coming from a Jewish woman from Brooklyn, but I love celebrating Christmas Eve with a feast of the seven fishes. It's a Southern Italian (and now Italian-American) custom in which a grand meal of at least seven different kinds of seafood is served before midnight Mass. The fish part comes from the Catholic practice of abstaining...

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Let me guess: You are Italian and you have never heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Am I right? Well, this does not surprise me, because this ancient tradition recurring on the 24th of December, is an Italian-American celebration of Christmas Eve, confined to the States.   While Italian families usually eat only seafood dishes on Christ...

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Never heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes? You may soon. It's a Southern Italian meatless Christmas Eve meal, celebrated in many Italian-American homes, especially on parts of the East Coast.   "La Vigilia" is relatively unknown in south Louisiana, where Sicilian descendents have kept alive the St. Joseph's Day tradition. The feast has so...

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The Italian-American tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve stems from Catholic abstention of meat, but there's nothing limiting about the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The meal, typically a multi-course affair offering an ocean's worth of seafood, is a delicious holiday tradition regardless of religion or dietary principles.   Many Washi...

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By Michelle Durham   It's a Christmas Eve tradition for thousands in the Delaware Valley, especially those of Italian descent, the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Why seven? What is the meaning behind this treasured tradition? Vice President of Anastasi Seafood, Janet Anastasi-Stechman explains why seven fishes are prepared the night before...

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The Marion County community invited people to share its Italian heritage at the 9th annual Feast of the Seven Fishes festival.   The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a centuries-old custom observed primarily by southern Italians, consisting of a seafood meal served on Christmas Eve. Local restaurants showcased their heritage ties, with cultural...

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Even as a child I remember being more excited about Christmas Eve than Christmas day and my birthday combined – which is saying a lot for a kid. My family has been doing the Feast of the Seven Fishes for as long as I can remember, well really as long as my grandmother and great-grandmother could remember. And all these years later, I am still in aw...

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During this time of year there is a dichotomy of emotions that most everyone over 40 (and maybe it applies to anyone who has lost family) experiences, as turkeys are dressed and doors are donned with wreaths.   On one hand, there is a joy and excitement that the season brings with it: festive parties, twinkling lights, glorious music, dreams...

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by Marguerite Preston   Here's a guide to eight great restaurants that are serving that traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve dinner, the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Many have taken the literal route, and are serving seven course meals of octopus, salt cod, clams, and more, but there are also few more condensed meals on the list. ...

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