A beloved Christmas Eve tradition, the Feast of Seven Fishes, emerged in America when Italian immigrants carried their traditions across the ocean in the early 1900s. Hulu’s hit show “The Bear” brought this tradition into focus with its hectic Christmas Eve dinner scene.

Now more people are eager to try this time-honored custom. Today, New Jersey remains a hub for this tradition. When December comes around, local restaurants create special menus for those wanting to avoid cooking.

This feast comes from Catholic fasting rules. The number seven carries deep meaning in the Catholic faith. It reflects sacred elements like the sacraments, creation days, and deadly sins. The Mediterranean waters near Southern Italy inspired this tradition.

Fish became important when Catholics needed meat alternatives. Yet interestingly, many modern Italians don’t know about the seven-fish rule. Tables overflow with seafood and pasta.

Kitchens come alive with the making of crispy smelts, salt-cured baccalà, fresh branzino, chilled shrimp, and mixed seafood salads. Each family adds its special touches to these basics.

Christmas Eve varies across Italy’s regions. This feast shows how immigrants kept their heritage while creating new traditions on American soil. Recipes move from grandparents to grandchildren over generations. What counts isn’t following strict rules but the significance behind each dish served with love.

Mark Rotella of the Coccia Institute notes that while traditions change, the feast continues to unite Italian families. Rotella said, “I’ve also heard of people doing 12 fishes for the 12 apostles [of Jesus].” Some tables have countless dishes while others keep to the symbolic seven.