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Archiver > GEN-ITALIAN > 2004-11 > 1099664560


From: "WingDing" <>
Subject: Re: Tradition of the Seven fish on Christmas eve
Date: Fri, 05 Nov 2004 14:22:40 GMT
References: <FOsid.263334$35.12194040@news4.tin.it>


my father's family was from Avellino (Torre le Nocelle) and I recall this
traditional fish feast at Christmas.

"Mike Setaro" <> wrote in message
news:FOsid.263334$...
>I know that this is not the place for this question but it relates to a
> sense of Italian pride and tradition.
>
> I am now living in Italy in the town of Caserta. My family came from a
> town
> about 5 miles from here in Maddaloni. We are about 30 miles north east of
> Naples. I was raised in New York City area which included Christmas
> tradition of preparing and serving seven fish meal on Christmas eve. I
> remember the baccala and the tiny octopus in salads. Now, I being an
> American Italian have a problem with an Italian cook from Naples over the
> seven fish tradition. She lived all her life in Naples and never heard of
> it.
>
> I have read some Italian cook books and they cannot say where the
> tradition
> started but agree it is a Southern Italian custom. Some say it is famous
> in
> Naples, some say from Rome to the southern part of Italy. I also
> understand
> that it is a very popular tradition in Sicily.
>
> Many say that it started by the Catholic Church that made Christmas eve a
> meatless day. So fish was the next best thing. Remember years ago when
> Catholics in America ate fish on Friday. It was sin if you ate meat on
> Fridays.
> So I am asking anyone who has knowledge of the traditions in Naples for
> Christmas Eve meals to make your comments known.
>
> Mike Setaro
> Caserta, Italia
>
>


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