Christmas Eve Dinner

Traditional Christmas Eve dinner in an Italian household (particularly those whose heritage hails from Southern Italy) is seafood -- specifically, it's known as The Feast of the Seven Fishes. Being allergic to seafood, however, I can't partake in the feast. That didn't stop me from adding a couple of Italian favorites to our Christmas Eve dinner, though.


I started with pizza gain, a favorite of mine. It's a savory meat and cheese pie, usually made around Eastertime, after Lenten fasting has ended. Exactly what meats and cheeses fill the pie varies by family and by region in Italy -- really, it's just a matter of personal preference. I make mine with salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, prosciuttini, mozzarella, provolone, pecorino romano, ricotta, and sometimes parmesan. It's very rich, but so delicious! And remember, make it a day ahead of time, because it's a dish best eaten at room temperature or straight out of the fridge. Trust me on this.


Next up, we made zuppa di scarola e fagioli, better known as escarole & bean soup. I LOVE that bitter green, escarole, and eat it nearly every week: sautéed with garlic and mushrooms during warmer weather, and made into soup during the cold months. It's an inexpensive, simple but hearty dish of greens, garlic, and white beans in chicken broth. I like to serve it with some grated parmesan or romano on top.

Last on the list, and not Italian (but still tasty), are spinach and 5 cheese puff pastries. I used a frozen puff pastry, and a filling of chopped spinach, garlic, and a combination romano, parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, and mild Swiss cheeses. These were AMAZING. And I'm thinking next time, a little crumbled sausage would make a tasty addition to the filling.

So tell me, what food traditions do you follow on Christmas Eve/Day?