Chef Daniela Savone’s Take On The Feast of The Seven Fishes

Just in time for the holidays and your holiday table, Chef Daniela Savone shares her family recipe enjoyed every Christmas Eve. We hope you find it as delicious as we did!

While most kids can’t wait to open presents on Christmas morning, having grown up in an Italian household, I was actually more excited to dig into a big bowl of my Nonna’s ‘Zuppa di Pesce’ on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve gatherings have continued to evolve over time since she’s passed away, but this is one tradition we make sure to keep alive. My sisters and I spend all day in the kitchen alongside my mom cleaning pounds and pounds of fresh seafood, reminiscing, laughing and telling stories.

My Nonna’s Seven Fish Zuppa di Pesce is a ‘stew’ of clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, cod, scallops, and anchovies, served in a broth of white wine, garlic, saffron, and tomato sauce with a touch of spice. It can be served alongside a thick piece of crusty Italian bread or with a big bowl of pasta. Just be sure to wear an extra-large napkin tucked in around your neckline so you don’t stain your shirt. Nothing says Christmas to me more than the sight and sound of my family gathered around the table with their faces in their big bowls of Zuppa slurping up all that flavorful goodness. You can eliminate or add your seafood of choice but be sure to always use what’s fresh and readily available. And remember the most important ingredient of all; love, family, and tradition. This year, try nonna’s recipe for Seven Fish Zuppa di Pesce for an exquisite holiday meal.

A Bit About the Feast of the Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration centered around a large meal of seafood dishes.

The custom comes from southern Italian Catholic traditions, where meat was avoided on holy days like Christmas Eve as part of fasting and abstinence practices. Fish and seafood became the centerpiece of the evening meal instead.

The number seven is symbolic, and is commonly associated with:

  • The seven sacraments
  • The seven days of Creation
  • The seven deadly sins (and their rejection)

Families celebrate by preparing at least seven different seafood dishes, though some serve more (or fewer), depending on family tradition. Common dishes include baccalà (salt cod), fried calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels, anchovies, and seafood pasta.

Beyond the food, the Feast is about family, heritage, and anticipation of Christmas Day, often stretching over several hours with multiple courses, storytelling, and passed-down recipes. While it originated in Italy, the tradition truly flourished in the United States among Italian immigrant communities and is now a beloved holiday custom across many households.

Here’s some tips for making your own Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Cooking the Feast: Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing the Feast of the Seven Fishes takes thoughtful planning, smart timing, and an appreciation for traditional techniques. Because the meal often includes multiple seafood dishes prepared in different ways, organization is key. Follow the steps below to create a well-balanced, stress-free feast that honors tradition while delivering unforgettable flavor.

Step 1: Plan Your Menu

Begin by selecting a variety of seafood dishes that offer contrast in both flavor and texture. A successful Feast of the Seven Fishes typically includes a mix of fried, baked, stewed, and chilled preparations to keep the meal dynamic from start to finish. 7 unique dishes, would be most traditional!

Favorites include calamari, octopus, clams, shrimp, and cod, often prepared as cioppino, seafood stew, baked fish in tomato sauce, or marinated shrimp salad. When planning your menu, consider the number of guests, dietary preferences, and how each dish will complement the others.

Step 2: Source Quality Seafood

High-quality ingredients are essential to a memorable feast. Visit a trusted fishmonger and look for the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood available. In cases where fresh seafood is not available or if you’re shopping on a budget, many fresh frozen options are available for a fraction of the cost of fresh. In most cases, good-quality frozen seafood is indistiguishable from fresh!

Many families interpret the tradition as seven different types of fish prepared using seven distinct methods, symbolizing the seven sacraments. We honner Nonna’s legacy with her Zuppa di Pesce, which includes 7 varieties of seafood stewed together!

Step 3: Prep Ahead Strategically

Seafood preparation can be time-consuming, so tackling it in advance will make the day run smoothly. Clean and portion ingredients ahead of time: cut octopus into bite-sized pieces, slice calamari into rings, peel and devein shrimp, and scale or fillet fish as needed. Store prepped seafood properly and keep it chilled until cooking begins.

Step 4: Cook in Stages

Start with dishes that benefit from longer cooking times or can be made ahead, such as soups, stews, and tomato-based sauces. These dishes often improve in flavor as they rest and can be gently reheated before serving. High-quality canned tomatoes, like Tuttorosso, provide consistent sweetness and acidity, ideal for seafood stews, cioppino, and baked fish without overpowering delicate flavors.

Step 5: Assemble Delicate Dishes Last

Prepare more delicate or quick-cooking dishes, such as pasta with clams, fried calamari, or seafood pies, closer to serving time. This ensures optimal texture and prevents dishes from becoming watery or overcooked.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

Just before serving, elevate each dish with simple finishing elements. Fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon, crushed red pepper, or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil can brighten flavors and bring the entire feast together.our best dishes and serving ware. Arrange the dishes so each one is presented in a pleasing manner yet accessible for guests. You’ve worked had creating a mouthwatering feast. The presentation should be equally inviting to the eye, showcasing the variety of the feast. Final step: Enjoy this delectable dinner with your guests!

Serve and Enjoy

Presentation plays an important role in the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Use your best serving platters and arrange each dish so it’s both visually appealing and easy to share. The variety of colors, textures, and preparations should reflect the care that went into the meal. Once everything is on the table, gather with family and friends and enjoy the celebration you’ve worked hard to create.

Pairing and Serving Suggestions

Complement your seafood dishes with simple sides that enhance, rather than compete with, the main courses. Popular accompaniments include:

For wine pairings, lighter dishes such as shrimp salad, baccalà, and calamari pair beautifully with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino. Tomato-based stews and baked fish can handle more structure and pair well with light-bodied reds such as Chianti or Montepulciano. Non-alcoholic options like sparkling water, tart pomegranate juice, or non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc provide refreshing alternatives.

Tuttorosso Tomatoes in Your Feast

Tomato-based dishes are central to many Feast of the Seven Fishes menus, and using high-quality tomatoes makes all the difference. Tuttorosso tomatoes are picked at peak freshness and deliver consistent flavor, making them ideal for seafood sauces, stews, and broths. Whether simmering a cioppino or baking fish in tomato sauce, Tuttorosso adds depth and authenticity to every dish.

From Italian Shores to The Supper Table: The Legacy of the Feast of Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is more than a meal, it’s a celebration of heritage, family, and togetherness. Each dish tells a story, connecting generations through time-honored recipes and shared experiences. Whether you’re recreating traditional favorites or introducing new ones, the heart of the feast remains the same: gathering around the table to create lasting memories.

For more delicious inspiration from Chef Daniela Savone, visit her Instagram page and discover recipes rooted in tradition and crafted with care.

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