Feast of the Seven Fishes
In Italian-American households, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is celebrated on December 24. This Christmas Eve celebration kicks off the holiday festivities with a huge dinner consisting of seven courses of fish and other types of seafood. The dinner courses can consist of appetizers, soup, pastas, etc. and each family has their own way of incorporating the seven fishes. Here are two seafood ideas for the festivities!
Tuna Sauce
You will need 1 pound of thin spaghetti, cooked according to package directions, 1/3 of a cup of olive oil, 1 1/2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste, 3 cups of water, 2 (7 ounce) cans of tuna in oil, 5 chopped anchovies, 1/4 of a teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 of a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
In a large pan, sauté garlic in olive oil for 30 seconds, and then remove from oil. Add tomato paste and water and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tuna, anchovies, salt and pepper and stir to combine until heated through. Serve over pasta.
Cheesy Crab Appetizers
For this recipe you will need 6 English muffins, 1/2 of a stick of softened butter, 1 five ounce jar of Old English sharp cheese spread, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1/2 of a teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 of a teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning, 1 (7 ounce) can of crab meat.
Preheat your broiler to high. Adjust the rack so that the pan will be about 5 inches below the broiler element. Split the English muffins and place on a baking sheet. Mix together the butter, cheese, garlic, seasoned salt, mayonnaise, and crab meat. Spread the mixture evenly over the English muffins. Place the pan under the broiler and watch carefully. Broil until the cheese mixture is lightly browned and bubbling on top. This may take from 1 to 3 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.
Note: The English muffins may be prepared in advance and frozen prior to broiling.
And there you have it: two easy recipes for your Feast of the Seven Fishes. For more seafood recipe ideas, head over to our recipe archive to find even more delicious recipes for any season.
Watch how to make Feast of the Seven Fishes on YouTube >>
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Ingredients
Tuna Sauce
- 1 lb thin spaghetti cooked according to package directions
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 3 cups water
- 2 7 oz cans tuna in oil
- 5 anchovies chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cheesy Crab Appetizers
- 6 English muffins split
- 1/2 stick butter softened
- 5 oz jar Old English sharp cheese spread
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 7 oz can crab meat
Instructions
Tuna Sauce
- In a large pan, sauté garlic in olive oil for 30 seconds, remove from oil.
- Add tomato paste and water and cook for 45 minutes.
- Add tuna, anchovies, salt and pepper and stir to combine until heated through. Serve over pasta.
Cheesy Crab Appetizers
- Preheat broiler to high. Adjust the rack so that the pan will be about 5 inches below the broiler element.
- Split the English muffins and place on a sheet pan.
- Mix the butter, cheese, garlic and seasoned salt, mayonnaise, and crabmeat together well. Spread the mixture evenly over the English muffins.
- Place the pan under the broiler and watch carefully. Broil until the cheese mixture is lightly browned and bubbling on top. This may take from 1 to 3 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.
