Historically, Christmas Eve in Italy was a day for fasting, avoiding meat and dairy all day, to later enjoy a cena di magro or “light dinner,” often incorporating fish. This tradition dates back centuries, and was particularly important in the Southern part of Italy, known for its abundant seafood. Wholly embraced by Italian-Americans, the Feast of the Seven Fishes has been elevated to an evening-long parade of dishes in which at least seven types of seafood are served, a custom thought to represent the number of sacraments in the Catholic Church. Regardless of the historic religious symbolism, the focus of the meal is to gather family and friends together to celebrate the holidays and enjoy delicious food.