Even after we’re fasting, we Italians eat. I realized that lesson within the kitchen of my grandmother Irene. As a staunch Roman Catholic, she all the time fasted earlier than holy days, together with Christmas. However for Italians, fasting doesn’t imply that we don’t eat: It simply means we eat fish.
Seafood-based dinners are ubiquitous on Christmas Eve in Italy, however someplace alongside the road, Italian American households developed their very own — rather more elaborate — model of the custom. It was named the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
Though there are some theories, nobody appears to know for certain why there are seven. My private speculation: That’s sufficient meals to maintain a household across the desk consuming, speaking, and laughing for hours, which is the entire level of any vacation gathering.
The menu runs the gamut from laid again to gourmand, with some unifying flavors that pay homage to the Italian inspiration — suppose a lot of garlic, olive oil, butter, and herbs. It’s a multifaceted meal that requires teamwork within the kitchen and loads of mouths to feed on the desk. However hey, they don’t name it a feast for nothing.
Littleneck Clams Steamed in White Wine
Makes 2 to three servings • Prep time half-hour • Cook dinner time quarter-hour
