For those that miss eating seafood antipasti on Abruzzo’s Adriatic coast particularly on the …
La Vigilia: 7 Fishes and Seafood Recipes from Abruzzo
In Abruzzo, the Christmas Eve (La Vigilia di Natale) dinner is more important than that of Christmas Day. Menus at home & in restaurants in Abruzzo will be meat-free and build on some delicious fish, seafood, and then a little more excellent fish and seafood!
The Feast of the 7 Fishes, 7 being the number of virtues and sacraments is popular in restaurants and these dinners are probably one of the most expensive to go out for in the year. However, in homes, it is not usually quite as extensive Most of my neighbours have 3 fish dishes, some Baccalà fritters, seafood, and a final fish dish. So any number goes as long it has some sort of symbology within the Catholic Church, 3 being the Trinity.
We used to have a fish van that would visit the village every Friday and on Christmas Eve, sadly he is no longer with us and today most people buy from the local well-stocked supermarket that does buy locally from the fish ports of Giulianova and Rosetto degli Abruzzi.
Here are 7 fish and seafood recipes that we have picked up along the way!
The Abruzzesi adore their baked fish,(Pesce al Cartoccio), and it varies in each of …
Maria’s Stuffed Mussels are delicious & deny Italian purists the ability to disdainfully say …
Saffron batter – a decadent, glorious way to celebrate Epiphany or something a little …
Brodetto Vastese the winding barter fish soup that like James Bond’s martini you shake …
Succulent sweet squid in a thick tomato sauce served on a bed of creamy …
Squid, one of the Adriatic’s most beautiful, elegant yet predacious creatures; mournful enough to …