How is it December 19 already? Does the first part of December just not exist anymore?
If you’re like me and totally not prepared, then maybe you might appreciate some menu ideas?
My favorite meal of the season is actually the 24th, or la vigilia. Since it is supposed to be a fast day (no meat) the theme here is decidedly fishy. But if you’re looking for an explanation of the Seven Fishes menu, there is none. The whole ‘Seven Fishes’ thing is definitely an Italian American transformation of the traditional fish menu. But even if you’re not counting, the idea of fish on the eve before Christmas is festive and delicious, right?
Although certain things tend to show up over and over again on Christmas day menus, it really does change according to where you are. If we’re down in Bari I tend to go with a pasta al forno of some sort. But we also love bollito misto, with all the trimmings. One year though, we went completely off course with wild boar stew and polenta. Completely crazy I know!
And then there’s New Year’s Eve. I hate going out, but love to be festive, so I usually invite friends over for a small dinner. And since it’s small, that’s the time to get fancy on some of the ingredients (like champagne and truffles!)
So here are my menus, complete with desserts. But if you don’t feel like baking, don’t worry. Most Italians just plop a store bought Pandoro or Panettone on the table. You can too!
Have a great holiday season and have fun cooking! Me? I’m actually spending Christmas in a hotel for the first time since I was 12. I don’t really remember enjoying that day in 1972 so much, since my sisters and I were mostly worried about Santa not being able to find us. But now? I’m actually looking forward to being waited on hand and foot. What are you doing for the holidays?
Fish for Christmas Eve
Octopus Salad
Spaghetti alle Vongole
Fish with Olives
Radicchio and Blood Orange Salad
Almond Panna Cotta
Christmas Day Lunch or Dinner
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Wild Boar Stew and Polenta
Christmas Cavolo Nero Salad
Torta Barozzi
Fancy New Years Dinner
Gnocchi with Truffles
Roast Pork
Roast Potatoes with Rosemary
Fennel and Grapefruit Salad
Orange and Chocolate Crostata
thank you for your sharing of beautiful Italy…………. it has brought me pleasant scenes of your beautiful country. Keep it coming and Happy Christmas to you and to your family.
jane smer
Thank you and Happy Christmas to you and yours too!
I thought Bafana brought you presents on little Christmas the year we lived there
Yes, you’re probably right. She probably brought us a packet of Tic Tacs.
Ho Fame!!
Lovely thank you. Buon natale e felice anno nuovo da Melbourne.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too!
Happy Christmas Elizabeth to you & your family, this year I am spending Christmas in a hotel too, been waited on hand & foot sounds like a good idea ! The gnocchi with truffles a must do . What is the seven fishes ??? an American tradition ?
Yes, the Seven Fishes is an Italian American tradition based on eating fish on Christmas Eve.
Buon Natale, Mele Kalikimaka, Thank you for these lovely recipes–The picture of the orange crostata is one of the best from you or anyone for that matter, that I’ve seen, period–
This will be a trying year. Or four. Going to this blog and the few others of its caliber will be a life saver. Please write a lot! 🙂
Aloha,
Debroah
Thank you Deborah!! Mele Kalikimaka to you too!!
As usual menus look great !
Seafood is the big thing Downunder on Xmas Day. It will be 35 Celsius here in Melbourne.So….
Seafood (oysters and prawns)
Turkey and Ham ( English tradition even on a hot day )
Salads
Ice cream Xmas pudding
Cheeses
Then everybody to the beach for a swim ( perhaps)
Merry Christmas and thanks for your fabulous blogs during the year.
Looking forward to visiting Rome and Venice June 2017
A swim on Christmas sounds heavenly and your menu delicious. Happy Holidays and hope to see you in Italy in 2017!
I spent Christmas on a beach in Mexico, but was back in the cold US Midwest for New Year’s and made the roast pork dish. It was so simple and delicious, and perfect for the weather! Will definitely be adding to my lineup of recipes that have me dreaming of a return trip to Italy!
Now I want to make the roast pork too!!