17 Our Italian Christmas Memories Recipe Taste The Magic Today!

Christmas Eve Seafood Feast

The Feast of the Seven Fishes

One of the most beloved Christmas traditions in Italy is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as La Vigilia. This tradition originated in Southern Italy and involves a feast of seven different types of seafood dishes, symbolizing the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Some of the most popular dishes include baccala (salted cod), calamari, and linguine with clam sauce. The seafood is typically served as a multi-course meal, starting with antipasti and ending with a sweet dessert.

Our Family's Recipe: Linguine with White Clam Sauce

Ingredients: - 1 pound linguine pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 2 cans of chopped clams - 1/4 cup white wine - 1/4 cup clam juice - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Salt and pepper to taste - Chopped parsley for garnish Instructions: 1. Cook linguine according to package instructions. 2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. 3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 4. Add chopped clams (with juice), white wine, and clam juice to the skillet. 5. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. 6. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes. 7. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add it to the skillet with the sauce. 8. Toss the pasta with the sauce until well combined. 9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

Christmas Day Feast

Porchetta: The Star of the Show

On Christmas Day, the main dish is usually a roasted porchetta, a savory pork roast stuffed with herbs and spices. This dish is a favorite in many regions of Italy and is often paired with roasted potatoes and vegetables. The aroma of the porchetta roasting in the oven is enough to make anyone's mouth water and is a staple in our family's Christmas feast.

Our Family's Recipe: Porchetta

Ingredients: - 1 (5-6 pound) pork loin - 1/4 cup olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary - 2 tablespoons chopped sage - 2 tablespoons chopped thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - Kitchen twine Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped herbs. 3. Season the pork loin with salt and pepper. 4. Using a sharp knife, cut slits into the pork loin and stuff them with the herb mixture. 5. Roll the pork loin tightly and secure with kitchen twine. 6. Place the porchetta in a roasting pan and cook for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. 7. Let the porchetta rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Sweet Endings

Panettone: A Christmas Staple

No Italian Christmas feast is complete without a slice of panettone, a sweet bread filled with candied fruit and raisins. This traditional Christmas dessert originated in Milan and is now enjoyed all over Italy and around the world. It is often served with a glass of spumante, a sparkling Italian wine, to end the meal on a sweet note.

Our Family's Recipe: Panettone Bread Pudding

Ingredients: - 1 (1 pound) panettone, cut into cubes - 4 cups of milk - 4 eggs - 1/4 cup sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 cup candied fruit - 1/2 cup raisins - Powdered sugar for dusting Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. 3. Add the cubed panettone, candied fruit, and raisins to the bowl and mix until well combined. 4. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. 5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. 6. Let the bread pudding cool for 10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar and serving. In conclusion, an Italian Christmas feast is a celebration of family, tradition, and delicious food. These recipes have been passed down in our family for generations and hold a special place in our hearts and memories. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do, and may they bring you joy and create new memories with your loved ones this holiday season. Buon Natale!