Buon Natale a Buon Anno Nuovo e Tutti!

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Christmas, 2021: Amazing Christmas Trees, Scenes!

 

The Seven Fishes? Here's What You Need To Know!

 

People always ask me about the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes served on Christmas Eve. In fact, the idea of the seven fishes has now become sort of legendary.

And so strong is this tradition, that I can honestly say that in my lifetime (and we're talking many decades) I've never spent a Christmas Eve without a variety of fish dishes spread before me. This is a hallowed custom that is passed from one generation to another. Where and how did it start? I've heard all kinds of stories trying to explain it but I'm not sure anyone really knows definitively. But I do think it's rooted in the Italian-American immigrant experience. It's something that Italian-Americans kept and expanded upon over the years And, as they prospered, it came to be more elaborate.To begin with you must have at least seven fish selections on the table.

Why seven?

Well, seven is a very important number. It stands for the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and the seven days of creation. In Biblical numerology, seven is a number of perfection.

And fish is the featured dish because Italians have customarily abstained from eating meat on Christmas Eve. In fact, I do believe that for a long time the Catholic church prohibited the eating of meat the day before Christmas, This is the Christmas vigil. For my part, I still observe the "no meat on Christmas Eve" rule. I now do it in memory ops my father who strictly followed this rule.

There is no set menu for this feast.
But here are some of the fishes that are traditionally used: calamari (squid); scungilli [skuhn-GEE-lee] (conch); baccala [bah-kah-LAH] (dry, salt cod); shrimp; clams (usually served with pasta); mussels, snapper, trout, tuna or salmon. I remember my father cleaning and preparing the various fishes (especially the baccala, calamari, smelts and scungilli for hours.
We have adapted this menu over the years and updated it somewhat.

So, our annual feast usually includes calamari, baccala, shrimp, crab cakes, tuna, smelts and salmon. The cod and shrimp are served in both cold and fried or sauteed varieties. Shrimp is served as a shrimp cocktail and as shrimp scampi. Crab is served as both breaded and fried crab balls and fresh, cold crab claws. The baccala is served fried and in a salad. The calamari is served baked and stuffed. The tuna is served with spaghetti in a red sauce. The smelts are fried and the salmon is broiled. In addition to all of this it is customary to serve fried cauliflower and Italian bitter greens,  c commonly known as e verdes. 

Our feast is usually preceded by cocktails (that's where the cold shrimp and crab come in) with much chatter and anticipation.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes takes up the entire evening -- usually beginning with the preliminaries at around 5 or 6 PM and often continuing into the wee hours of the morning. The bountiful array of food remains on the table for everyone to enjoy. Any guests who happen to arrive are also welcome to partake.

When he was alive, my father always prepared the bulk of the meal. He was an outstanding cook and accomplished "foodie" before there was such a term. His recipes were all in his head and the dishes were passed down from his mother and her family. My mother, however, always insisted on preparing the crab balls. That was her special forté. 

After my father passed on, my sister and brother-in-law took over the tradition and kept much of it intact while adding a few updates including shrimp scampi, cold crab claws, salmon and shrimp cocktail. Now that they are gone, the meal has largely become the domain of my niece, nephew and (sometimes) my son. Thank goodness, they are insistent on continuing this grand tradition -- something that goes all the way back to my grandparents and probably even beyond that.

Desserts are not a mainstay of the feast. In fact, they are more of an afterthought. But, as more American elements have been introduced over the years, they have taken on their own prominence.
So, desserts now include an assortment of rich cakes, pies and cookies as well as cannoli and espresso.
Our feast is more casual than it was in years past but fine china, linens and glassware are still used on the table and when I say "casual" I mean business casual. So, this is definitely not a night for jeans or sweat suits or any kind of athletic gear.

And since it's Italian, it's an evening of high drama. All emotions (and generations) are at play. So, it's grand opera one minute, a Broadway musical the next and then lots of rap, in no particular order. At any given moment several family members are competing for attention. The whole thing can become raucous but there are also quiet and reflective moments as these dishes and this event evoke powerful memories that bring emotions to the surface. While it helps to have your wits about you as conversation ebbs and flows, there are also moments of pathos.

To survive the evening, you need to pace yourself.
It's fine (and expected) to eat more than you usually would -- even much more. But you must take your time. That's the Italian Way -- to savor every moment and engaging all your senses.
It's best to taste a bit of everything, moving through the huge menu in a careful, measured manner. My favorites are the crab cakes, shrimp and tuna pasta. So, I have to be careful not to eat so much of those dishes lest I not have room for anything else. If you do not partake of a bit of everything you're liable to offend your host.

Like I said, for Italian families this ritual feast is sacrosanct and intense feeling abounds. Why? Because the meaning of the evening is all wrapped up with loved ones (including those who have passed on) and our most cherished values. Consequently, one must drink in moderation. In fact, if you feel an urge to lift your glass frequently make sure you're lifting a glass of water.
With all the fish on the table, you will need it.

BTW: For Italians, Christmas Day is not as much of a Big Deal as Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day lasagna and chicken cutlets are more than enough. That's what we call decompressing. 

Enjoy these photos from one of our recent feasts:

Cold shrimp.

Crab balls.

The spaghetti with tuna in red sauce.

The bitter Italian greens.

Salmon.

Smelts, crab and fried cauliflower.

Cod and fried cauliflower.

Chocolates, miniature cupcakes, cookies, key lime pie and the tree. 

Dems Choose Districts? Yes, NJ GOP Has No Power!

Republicans in New Jersey are all up in arms over the new congressional district map which gives a clear and overwhelming advantage to . . . you guessed it . . . DemocRATS!

But why? Why are Republicans even surprised by this, let alone angry, or worse -- bemused? The key vote on the map was destined to fall in with the Dems. That was clear all along.

After all, Democrats control this state. They have won the presidential race in New Jersey eight elections in a row. Republicans have not won a U.S. senate race since 1972. Democrats have now been able to re-elect a Democrat governor for the first time in 40 years -- and this in a year when Republicans clearly should have had the advantage. Democrats hold the Governor’s office and both houses of the state legislature.And there's little doubt that liberals hold sway on the state Supreme Court -- and have held sway as long as anyone can remember. Beyond all that, the GOP is down to a measly two congressional seats in NJ -- and it would have been just one if VanDrew had not switched parties.

The simple truth is clear: Republicans have been unable to prevail in New Jersey. Too often, they've been unable to capture the big prizes -- the important prizes that determine real power. Elections have consequences. And, even with an occasional win here and there, by and large, over and over and over again, New Jersey Republicans have come up short. Now, we appear to be stuck with a losing congressional map for the next decade. Bottom line: failure breeds failure.

Not a pleasant thought. Not something we enjoy having to say. Not the way we would like it. And not the way it should be. Clearly, the New Jersey GOP must find a new way forward -- and fast. Because the old way won't do. It's the road to ruin, far as we can tell

It Does Make You Wonder, Doesn't It?

 

Christmas In Italy: Miraculous And Truly Wondrous!

On Christmas Eve in Italy, Christmas trees are decorated, but the focal point of decoration is the Nativity scene. Italian nativity scenes are noted for their exquisite detail and elaborateness. Indeed, Italians take great pride in the creation of the manger, which was thought up in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi, who wanted to involve the peasants in celebrating the life of Jesus. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City possesses a presepio from Naples that contains figurines carved from wood and dressed in garments of satin, along with 30 gold-trimmed angels of the Magi, all framed by majestic columns.

Interestingly enough, bagpipes are the most common Italian Christmas sound. The zampognari, the shepherds who play the bagpipes, come down from their mountain homes at Christmas time and perform in the market squares. The playing of bagpipes is popular in the regions of Calabria and Abruzzo, and in the piazzas of Rome.

The melodies played are adapted from old hill tunes. Modern zampognari wear the traditional outfits of sheepskin vests, leather breeches, and a woolen cloak. 

The tradition of bagpipes goes back to ancient Roman times. Legend says that the shepherds entertained the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem.
On Christmas, the zampognari perform their own private pilgrimage, stopping before every shrine to the Madonna and every Nativity scene.

Children in Italy believe in a female version of Santa Claus called La Befana, an old woman who flies on a broom and brings presents. 

According to Italian legend, Three Wise Men asked La Befana for directions to Bethlehem. La Befana was asked to join them but declined three times. It took an unusually bright light and a band of angels to convince La Befana that she must join the Wise Men, but she was too late. 

She never found the Christ child and has been searching ever since.

On January 6, the Feast of Epiphany, La Befana goes out on her broom to drop off stockings filled with treats to all the sleeping children of Italy.
Just as children in America leave milk and cookies for jolly Santa Claus, La Befana collects messages and refreshments throughout the night.

Christmas in Italy is truly wondrous and is celebrated with great fanfare and typical Italian demonstrativeness and great spirit. 

Buon Natale e tutti!

Click here to see lots more from the Dan Cirucci Blog -- now approaching four million visits!

Saying What Many Others Are Thinking, Knowing!

New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio addressing his colleagues on the floor of the Senate this week in Trenton. Thank you, Senator Pennacchio!

String Band Lineup For 2022 Mummers Parade!

 

10 Quick Ways To Catch The Christmas Spirit!

 

Still not in the Christmas spirit? You'd better hurry.

Of course, in the run-up to the Big Day, the Christmas season can become particularly hectic and stressful.

Before you know it, you've lost any sense of what Christmas was meant to be.

But you can turn all that around.

And you can do it quickly and simply.

In no particular order, here are ten suggestions for finding the simple joy of Christmas.

1) Go to the nearest shipping mall. Yes, we did say the mall. But don't go to shop. Instead, hurry on over to Santa's corner and simply watch the faces of the children as they chat with the Jolly Old Man in Red.

2) Take a slow walk through the woods and smell the evergreens. Search out a pine tree. They're particularly fragrant. Inhale!

3) Visit a live nativity display at any one of a number of nearby churches. 

4) Play hooky from work. Take lots of time to simply stay home and do something nice for someone else. Make something. Cook something. Create something. Bake something. And then give it away.

5) Volunteer your services to a local charity or community agency. Don't tell us you don't have the time. Find the time -- even if it's just a bit of time.

6) After you've finished putting up your own tree, visit a nearby tree and/or light display. Then, just enjoy!

7) Go anywhere where children are singing Christmas songs. Listen.

8) Open an anthology of Christmas stories and verses. Quietly read the first one you come to. If possible, read by the light of your Christmas tree.

9) If you're in the city, take a walk through the sidewalks and donate to the nearest Salvation Army bell ringer that you encounter. Give generously!

10) Contact an old friend who you haven't seen in ages. Tell that person that he or she is in your thoughts. Let him or her know that you care and extend Christmas greetings. If possible, make plans to meet.

Do You Ever Wish Christmas Was EVERY Day?