A 7 Fishes Christmas Eve menu consists of some of the most sought-after entree food this holiday season. While preparing seven types of seafood doesn’t exactly sound like you’re crafting an easy Christmas dinner menu, it’ll certainly allow you to close the year on a profitable note!
It’s especially important to point out that finding a dish containing a medley of seven types of fish on an Italian restaurant’s Christmas dinner menu is an expectation. So, if your restaurant business revolves around Italian cuisine, continue reading the rest of this article for culinary tips and inspiration.
What Is a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Menu?
A 7 Fishes Christmas Eve menu is a multi-course seafood dinner that many Italian-Americans consume on Christmas Eve. M7 any people who host Christmas Eve dinner from home go all out by cooking bulk amounts of seven types of fish. Meanwhile, restaurants do it a bit differently.
Many Christmas Eve dinner restaurants offer this traditional meal by adding a main course containing seven different types of seafood. That’s for obvious reasons, as seven different seafood dishes would be excessive for individuals or even entire parties. In the remainder of this blog post, we’re going to outline the primary ingredients needed to bring this cultural meal to life–seven fishes.
7 Ideas for a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Menu
There are so many different types of fish and shellfish that can be used for a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve menu. However, there are some that are more popular than others. If you’re indecisive about which types of fish to add to your menu this holiday season, read on.
1. Baccala
Baccala, or salted cod, is a staple during holiday meals celebrated by Italians. With a firm yet flaky texture, it’s a fan favorite among many people. However, it’s the salty flavor that makes it truly stand out.
2. Shrimp
You can’t go wrong with shrimp! You’ll find this seafood classic on almost any 7 Fishes Christmas Eve menu. Not only are shrimp extremely easy to find, but it’s a super versatile ingredient as well. Many consumers enjoy shrimp scampi, fried shrimp, or as part of a seafood salad.
3. Calamari
Calamari, or squid, is typically a dish that you can find on the appetizer list of many restaurants. However, that variation is fried in bread crumbs. For the Feat of Seven Fishes, many culinary experts opt for boiled or grilled calamari to pair with pasta.
4. Mussels
Whether you serve mussels in white or red marinara sauce, they're bound to be a hit this Christmas Eve. You also have the options of serving them as an appetizer or atop different types of pasta. If you pair them with pasta, simply steaming them will suffice.
5. Clams
The best part about clams is that like shrimp, they’re extremely versatile. You can serve them in a number of ways, like clams casino, steamed plain, or steamed with garlic and wine.
6. Scungilli
Scungilli, or conch, is a popular go-to seafood product for the Feast of Seven Fishes. However, it’s most favorable on its own or in seafood salads. That’s due to the simple nature of how you prepare it and its chewy texture. Just add some lemon, herbs, and olive oil and you’re all set!
7. Lobster
While many of the seafood options on this list are fairly inexpensive, adding lobster to the Feast of Seven Fishes is what can add luxury to the meal. Add it to pasta, or simply boil and serve it alongside melted butter for an outstanding part of the meal.
Buying Wholesale Seafood for a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Menu
Unless you operate a seafood restaurant, you probably don’t have a large variety of seafood in your arsenal. And even if you do, they might not pair well together in order to create a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve menu, let alone a single dish where they’re all served together.
So, how can you quickly acquire a variety of wholesale seafood at an unbeatable price? Once you become a buyer on the Endless Aisle, BlueCart’s prestigious digital marketplace, you'll have access to a wide range of seafood vendors to shop from. Fill out this quick form to sign up for free!
Once you obtain bulk fish and shellfish from trusted wholesale suppliers, you can create the Seven Fishes menu Christmas Eve is all about. No stress or excessive spending will be part of the equation, either! With BlueCart, you’ll have a simple solution for time-sensitive necessities. And who knows? You might be so pleased with the platform’s user-friendliness and buyer-centric features that it might be the start of higher cost savings and streamlined restaurant operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Menu
Of all the Christmas traditions, the Feast of Seven Fishes is one of the most popular. Well, at least in the culinary space. Now that we’ve discussed everything you need to know about the meal itself, let’s look at other topics, such as the history and origin of the Feast of Seven Fishes.
What Are the Most Popular Types of Seafood for a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Menu?
When you put together a 7 fishes Christmas Eve menu, there are several types of seafood that you can use; however, the most commonly used options include the following:
- Baccala
- Shrimp
- Calamari
- Mussels
- Clams
- Scungilli
- Lobster
Can You Serve a 7 Fishes Christmas Eve Menu At a Buffet?
Sure, if your restaurant typically serves a buffet-style dinner, there’s no reason why you can’t offer seven different types of fish on Christmas Eve. Simply create a station that has all the different fish varieties, appropriately labeled so that people are aware that the section abides by the Italian tradition. You can also have this buffet station adjacent to another lineup of foods, comprising suitable side dishes. If you’re searching for Christmas Eve menu ideas for buffet restaurants, a casual version of the Feast of Seven Fishes can be done in a simple manner.
Where Does the Feast of Seven Fishes Originate From?
The Feast of Seven Fishes is a Christmas Eve tradition that comes from the southern coast of Italy. It's in this area of the Mediterranean region, in Italy in particular, where seafood is a hot commodity. However, the structured dinner consisting of exactly seven different types of fish stem from the Italian immigrants in the United States. The act of consuming so much seafood is also to eliminate the consumption of meat right before the celebration of Christ’s birth. It’s a similar tradition to not consuming meat on Fridays during Lent.
Do People In Italy Consume the Feast of Seven Fishes On Christmas Eve?
Believe it or not, the Feast of Seven Fishes is not consumed by people in Italy. Instead, it’s a tradition among Italian-Americans throughout the United States. It’s especially popular in states with large Italian-American populations, like New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
When Did the Feast of Seven Fishes Come to Be?
The Feast of Seven Fishes became a Christmas Eve tradition among Italian immigrants in the United States during the early 20th century. Nowadays, you can find a seafood medley in Italian restaurants on Christmas Eve, and complete seven-course-minimum seafood-centric meals in Italian households.
The Feast of Seven Fishes: Bringing Tradition and Heritage to Christmas Eve
Now that you know how to put together this festive and traditional Christmas Eve dinner, you can add it to your holiday menu. Your best bet will be to have one dish that simply contains seven different types of fish. This way, customers can get a taste of everything in one course. And if the regular menu comprises Italian cuisine, offering this dish is a must!