As a shipping company that has years of experience in the seafood industry, Prime Fresh Handling takes the time to know and learn more about Holiday Seafood traditions. One of these is the Festa Dei Sette Pesci, or the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which is celebrated in Southern Italy and many Italian-American homes. This tradition stems from Catholics abstaining from eating meat as the commemoration of waiting for the birth of Baby Jesus.
Fish was used as a symbol by early Christians. It was used to identify themselves in times of persecution. The symbolism of the seven fishes is that it signifies the number of sacraments, the seven days of creation, the seven virtues, the seven deadly sins, and the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem before Baby Jesus was born. There are some families who celebrate with more or fewer dishes to represent different things:
- Three Dishes – Three Wise Men
- 13 Dishes – The Apostles and Jesus
Either way, an Italian family chooses to celebrate with odd numbers because odd numbers bring luck in the Christan Faith. Some of the typical fish for this Christmas Eve tradition include:
- Baccalà (salt cod)
- Frutti di mare (shellfish)
- Capitone (eel)
- Calamari (squid)
- Scungilli (conch meat)
- Vongole (clams)
When talking about what are the 7 fishes for Italian Christmas Eve, these are traditional dishes. They can be substituted for other seafood dishes that the group might enjoy more. Alaskan Salmon, Northeeastern Lobsters, and other seafood and shellfish recipes are great alternatives.
Alaskan Salmon
Alaskan salmon can be prepared in many different ways, but the most common way is with garlic and herbs, and sometimes lemon. It includes seasoning with salt, pepper, white wine, melted butter, fresh minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs. Then you can add lemon juice, zest, and slices of lemon.
Our global shipping company has years of experience working on how to ship salmon from Alaska successfully. Our team works hard to keep stores stocked with Alaskan salmon, especially for seafood holiday traditions.
Northeastern Lobster
When it comes to northeastern lobsters, there are many different ways to prepare them for family gatherings. Our experts have put together some of the best recipes:
- Lobster Fra Diavolo
- Fettuccine with Pink Lobster Sauce
- Spaghetti with Lobster Sauce
- Linguine with Lobster
Our company has extensive capabilities in transportation and logistics that allow us to handle shipments of live lobsters and other seafood products. We know how to ship live lobsters, and we take pride in our part of the supply chain. We are proud to help people get their favorite meals during the holiday season.
Contact Prime Fresh Handling
Now you know what are the 7 fishes for Italian Christmas Eve. If you are interested in learning more about our part in the seafood supply chain, contact us today. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have. Our global network allows us to keep our partners satisfied with our ability to ship their products in a timely and effective manner every time.
