Have A Jewish Feast Of The Seven Fishes On Christmas Eve!
For decades I’ve hoped and prayed that a friend – any friend – would invite me to the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner The Feast of The Seven Fishes.
This Christmas Eve tradition sounds like so much fun. Yet I’ve never been able to experience it firsthand. Throughout my decades of school, work, life, and travel I’ve heard the tale but never caught the whale. OK, a whale isn’t a fish.
This year I’m finally giving up. With that said, I would do it myself but I’m not Italian.
But wait! The fish has all kinds of symbolism in the Jewish religion too… that’s my in! Thus, this year I’m creating my own destiny, taking the fish by the fins, and throwing my own Jewish Feast Of The Seven Fishes.
Fish Have Been Attacking My Subconscious
In truth, I think the desire to attend a Feast of The Seven Fishes influenced my subconscious for decades. Perhaps all of my aquarium, fish hatchery, and whale museum visits have been my attempt to fill this void. Maybe even my unabashed love of fish sticks or closeted love of Filet-O-Fish.
It’s possible that even my beloved service goldfish – of blessed memory – was just a catalyst to get me to this moment.
It’s Time To Create My Own Jewish Feast Of Seven Fishes
Since my 40s is all about grabbing life by the roe, I’m done waiting. The Jewish Feast of the Seven Fishes is on. With that said, HELLO – if Jews know how to do one thing well it’s put together a spread of fish. I mean isn’t break-fast YOUR favorite meal too?
It seems combining our love of a cold fish spread plus the ease of a Taco Tuesday layout (mmm fish tacos) will make this family meal a Christmas Eve hit.
Not to mention if you want to be lazy you can order most of these shelf-stable fishes on the internet. You don’t even need to leave your house or cook them and poof, dinner is done.
My Jewish Feast Of The Seven Fishes Menu
Note: you may want to go all out and add in some bagels too.
1. Lox
Who doesn’t love Lox? Don’t tell me, I don’t want to know you. Lox is smoked salmon and is a staple for Sunday mornings, brises, brunches, break-fast, and any day that you’re hungry. We are a HUGE lox household. I even love it in omelets and on matzah pizza. Send help, I need a loxtervention.
2. Whitefish Salad
A delicious expensive baked fish salad that is mixed with mayo. This is both so delicious and a good fish to teach you the concept of a little goes a long way. Accordingly, too much whitefish salad and you go on whitefish overload. Definite whitefish yin-yang vibes. While you can get this online, I’d go to your local bagel store and pick it up fresh.
3. Salmon Salad
Baked salmon salad is often seen with its bestie whitefish salad. Also cooked and mixed with mayo it’s always a slam dunk. Similar to whitefish salad, if you eat too much, you’re going to oy. Since this is salmon’s second appearance on my list, I’ll share the over the top concept of putting lox on top of baked salmon salad. But only if you drive a motorcycle, because it’s wild (like the salmon you should be eating…). While you can also buy this online, I’d opt for the fresh version too.
4. Tuna
Tuna is probably the most versatile fish ever with a zillion different versions. My favorite is the bougie yellowfin in olive oil (turquoise can from Trader Joe’s, gold can anywhere else). I found this during my rebellious days in college when I broke from the family and decided to stop adding mayo. The quality of this fish is amazing and the taste is so vibrant from the olive oil that nothing else is needed. You can even stand in your kitchen and eat it out of the can while your husband gives you the stink eye (stink because sometimes fish smells… but really because he’s way too judgy).
5. Sardines
I love sardines. There I said it. I feel like sardines are the unsung heroes of Passover, which is usually when I eat them. Now that the “new” fancy tin fish craze is swimming around everywhere (the puns write themselves) I laugh and point out that your grandpa probably ate them too. They are so good and it’s fun to pull back the tin because you feel like you’re revealing a prize. I recommend the boneless and skinless version because ew – bones and skin…
6. Gefilte Fish – A Jewish Feast Regular
Certainly the most renowned “Jewish fish,” and as a result, no Jewish Feast of fish would be complete without it. Gefilte Fish is a fish medley that generally contains carp and pike. We prefer fancy gefilte fish made by our supermarket’s fishmonger (the best professional name ever). Our tradition is not only serving this handmade fish but then debating which one doesn’t have salt because they look the same and we forget.
7. Herring
I would marry herring if it was socially acceptable. I feel like I’m losing my fish cred when I declare that each is my favorite… but the truth is, I really love pickled herring. Subsequently, I always forget about it so when I see it, I get really excited. Herring comes in many forms but the most popular is in cream or wine sauce. Since one of the many plights of Ashkenazi Jews is lactose intolerance, give me herring in wine sauce any day and just let me be.
On Theme Jewish Feast Of The Seven Fishes Dessert And Party Favor
Duh, dessert is obviously Swedish Fish! Then pass out some Miracle Fish fortune tellers and send your guests on their way.
The Fish Options Are Endless
If you like the idea of a Jewish Feast of the Seven Fishes but want alternate fish ideas, the sea’s the limit! You can go wild and try sable, trout, or mackerel. Additionally, if you want to expand on the cold theme try ceviche or poke bowls. Alternatively, you can be lazy and order sushi. You still get credit if you call it a Jewish Feast of the Seven Fishes as long as you count. But you’ll probably want to order Chinese food the next day (Christmas) and that’s too much salt.
Comment below with your favorite fish!
Happy Holidays!
Don’t forget to check out my Holiday Gift Guide and Amazon store for funny and unique gift ideas!
This post is dedicated to my beloved goldfish HBtF (2020-2022).
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