No celebration in Italy would be complete without a hearty meal, and Christmas in Italy is marked with not one, but three traditional meals.
- The Vigil: Also known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes, this meal is enjoyed on Christmas Eve. Historically, it was the custom to forego meat on this day, so people began to turn to seafood as an alternative protein. Many households will indulge in a selection of fish-based dishes, and then go to Midnight Mass.
- Natale: The most important of the traditional Christmas meals, this is generally a lunch eaten on Christmas Day. It is a lavish occasion, where hosts will expand their tables to entertain their friends and families.
- 28: The day after Christmas is known as Santo Stefano. Those who hosted Natale are likely to call upon their more distant relations. Some people will eat leftovers from the past two days, while others will take a break and go to a restaurant.
If you would like to add a bit of Italian charm to your own holiday season, consider a visit to Amaro Bistro in Bothell.