{"id":3085,"date":"2012-12-20T09:22:00","date_gmt":"2012-12-20T09:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=3085"},"modified":"2012-12-20T09:22:00","modified_gmt":"2012-12-20T09:22:00","slug":"seafood-feast-for-christmas-eve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=3085","title":{"rendered":"Seafood Feast for Christmas Eve"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lobster photo by Man Pikin. Link in details below.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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While you may think of lobster as summer fare, around our house it's a Christmas Eve<\/a> tradition. Think about it, the reason Maine Lobster<\/a> is so good is those freezing cold waters that make swimming from Maine\u2019s ocean beaches a shocking experience. This time of year, water temperatures drop throughout our area and lobsters have better flavor. <\/p>\n

Our Lobsters will come from James Hook & Company<\/a> (below) on the Waterfront.<\/p>\n

Do you have a traditional Christmas Eve meal? Please share it with us and our readers in the comments or via Twitter.<\/a>\"6a00e54fc42bb88834010536a3ae21970b-800wi\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Feast of the Seven Fishes<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many Italian families, the Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes, or La Vigilia<\/a> di Natale, is a tradition. And, because preparing this meal at home can be daunting for the cook, it\u2019s a good time to invite guests who will bring a dish or help in the kitchen \u2013 especially if your family\u2019s version actually calls for 9, 11, or 13 fishes. <\/p>\n

(Update 12.20.12 @ 5:12 pm)<\/strong> Just found this coversation over on Chowhound's Boston Board about other places doing the Feast with some reviews on past feasts. Feast of the Seven Fishes on Chowhound<\/a><\/p>\n

Get the Salt Cod Early<\/strong><\/p>\n

One element of most traditional Christmas Eve feasts is salt cod<\/a> or baccal\u00e0. This is the one product you need to buy right away. Soaking it, to rehydrate and remove the salt, can be a long process and is best begun at least a couple of days before you plan to use it. <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve purchased excellent salt cod from Salumeria Italiana<\/a> in the North End. Baccal\u00e0<\/a> is one of those products you want to buy from a trusted specialty shop or fishmonger. There's a very wide range of salt cod quality and if this is for a special occasion, why not buy from someone who's made sure you will have the best. <\/p>\n

There was a discussion with Boston Chowhounds about a good place to buy salt cod,<\/a> earlier this year. Lots of good advice there. <\/p>\n

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Join a Restaurant Feast<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the non-cooks, there are area restaurants serving their versions of the feast this year. Grotto<\/a> in Beacon Hill has had rave reviews of their special feast menu in past years. Sister restaurant Marliave<\/a> is also joining in the feasting with their own version.<\/p>\n

Other places for fish feasting are Dante<\/a> in Cambridge, Davio\u2019s<\/a> in the Theatre District, and Legal Harborside<\/a> out in the Seaport area. The North End\u2019s Neptune Oyster<\/a> is doing it tonight (12.20.12) for those who have to be elsewhere on Christmas Eve. For all these places, reservations are recommended.<\/p>\n

Upddate 12.20.12<\/strong> one of our favorite places, Coppa has added a feast<\/a> and they are doing prixe fixe or a la carte.<\/p>\n

Make Up Your Own<\/strong><\/p>\n

You might decide to have your own taylor made seafood feast during the holidays. You can buy and cook your favorite fish or dine out choosing the menu items that appeal to you. Another option is meeting up with friends at a great seafood restaurant like Island Creek Oyster Bar<\/a> and sharing a bunch of items that appeal to the group. That could help nudge you out of your seafood comfort zone.<\/p>\n

The nice thing about menus for this holiday is that they are less prescribed, letting you start your own traditions. Let us know what you decide to create for your own Chistmas eve menu.<\/p>\n

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon<\/a>\"\" from here to support this site!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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