Sicilians and Italians traditionally celebrate Christmas Eve with a “Feast of Seven Fishes,” a meatless meal that includes dishes of fish and other seafood. It is one of the treasured memories of my youth that I have preserved to this day.

This grand meal was historically served after a 24 hour fasting period reflecting the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. The number of courses has religious significance associated with the seven holy Catholic sacraments.

However, in true Italian style, the meal can include any number of seafood dishes and today the main point of the meal is to gather family and friends to celebrate together while enjoying delicious food and drink.

With that in mind, the Feast this year will be served on Friday, December 25 in Tokyo (December 24, Christmas Eve in America) and the menu reflects a fusion of some of my favorite traditional Sicilian dishes in Wafu or Japanese-style.

Merry Christmas to all. Buon appetito!

MENU
Antipasto (Seafood, Cheese & Vegetable Selections)
 Prosecco

 Aglio e Olio
 Sicilian-Style Tuna Carpaccio
 Linguine with Clam Sauce
 Fried Oysters
 Steamed Mussels with Garlic Butter Sauce
 Capellini with Squid Ink
 Shrimp with Diablo Sauce
 Risotto with Scallops & Mushrooms
 Roasted Maple/Miso Salmon with Green Beans
 Vino Bianco

 Digestivo –– Limoncello

 Dolce –– Christmas Cake
 Espresso or Caffè e Latte