Central to many Christmas Eve celebrations is the American-Italian tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes.   While there are differing thoughts as to why seven dishes or types of fish, the over-riding theme is always seafood, as meat would not be eaten on the eve of the birth of Christ.  The most famous dish is baccala (salted cod), but there are various combinations that include anchovies, sardines, smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, clams, conch, and lobster.  We at the Dock enjoy listening to the families that come in, often with an out of town relative, to purchase all of the ingredients for their own family’s special meal traditions for this night.  Dishes that have been passed down from one generation to the next are discussed and evaluated, sometimes even debated, while new memories are made as the younger children hear all about the preparations for this important annual event!  Start making your list for shopping with us…soon the eating will begin!