What seafood is often eaten at Christmas?

Among the different types of fish eaten on Christmas Eve, salted codfish is one of the most popular and versatile. It has always been considered a humble food because of its ease of storage, low cost and the fact that it is filling.

What is the traditional fish dinner for Christmas?

Typical feast The meal's components may include some combination of anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, baccalà (dried salt cod), smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels and clams . The menu may also include pasta, vegetables, baked goods and wine.

What is the best fish to eat in December?

December is the peak season for ocean perch , and there is no better month to enjoy cod and monkfish. The yuletide season is also the perfect time for cooking up fresh oysters, clams, and scallops. Below, find recipes and other information on these shellfish and fish to expect at the market in December.

What are the 7 fishes Italians eat on Christmas Eve?

This pasta involves seven fish: clams, mussels, halibut, shrimp, anchovy, calamari and scallops . It's nice to have a whole fish, head and tail included, to signify abundance.

What is the Catholic Christmas Eve meal?

Over time, fasting evolved into abstaining from meat. And so, Catholics from much of Europe celebrate their big holiday family meal on Christmas Eve, highlighting fish . Although the Church dropped the meatless rule in 1966, fish still holds pride of place on the evening of Dec. 24 for many families.

What are the original 7 fishes Christmas Eve?

Typical "fishes" include baccalà (salt cod), frutti di mare (shellfish), capitone (eel), calamari (squid), scungilli (conch meat) and vongole (clams) . Fried vegetables are also a popular accompaniment to the fish; expect fried artichokes, pickled vegetables, fried squash blossoms, and other treats.

What seafood is in season in December?

Oysters: Like clams, oysters tend to be at their best in months with the letter R in their names: September through April. Scallops: These shellfish are available year-round, but typically peak from December through March.

Why is seafood popular at Christmas?

The tradition of preparing fish on Christmas Eve originated from the Catholic rituals of fasting or abstaining from meat and other dairy products on the eve of certain holy days, including Christmas . As no meat could be consumed during this period, fish cooked in oil would be eaten instead of meat.

What are 3 traditional Christmas foods?

Every family in every part of the world serves their own traditional Christmas foods, but in the U.S., some are enjoyed nationwide: Turkey. Prime Rib. Baked Ham. Mashed Potatoes & Gravy. Stuffing. Green Bean Casserole. Candied Sweet Potatoes. Roasted Vegetables. More items... Dec 19, 2022

58 Christmas seafood recipes (2024)

How good is an Australian seafood Christmas?

Dec 08, 2023 4:00am

When we talk Australian Christmas feasting, does it get any more 'Strayan than a table heaving with seafood? Keep the ocean's catch front and centre with oysters, scallops and prawn co*cktails for starters, stunning fish and lobster dishes for the centrepiece mains, and plenty of options if you're firing up the barbecue.

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How to make salmon gravlax

Photo: Alicia Taylor

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Grilled lobster with beurre blanc and chives

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Lobster with lemon myrtle, tarragon and crab butter

Photo: Alicia Taylor

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Mixed grilled seafood salad with lemon mignonette

Photo: Alicia Taylor

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Coral trout with saffron and Sherry-roasted onions

Photo: Alicia Taylor

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Grilled Balmain bugs with charred grapes and ouzo

Photo: Alicia Taylor

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Oysters with two sauces

Photo: William Meppem

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Scampi with green mango and fried shallots

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Grilled scallops in the shell

Photo: William Meppem

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Louis Tikaram's grilled Hervey Bay scallops with soy and ginger

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Sean Moran's freshly shucked oysters with tarragon dressing

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Grilled scallops with spring onion and peanut

Photo: Chris Chen

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Si Paradiso's charred octopus with almonds and mandarin

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Guy Grossi's Gaeta-style octopus

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Seafood platter with chervil butter and a trio of sauces

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Fleet's seafood platter with Marie Rose sauce

Photo: Kara Rosenlund

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Crab crostini by Leonardo's Pizza Palace

Photo: Mikkel Vang

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Louis Tikaram's Mooloolaba prawn ceviche with green chilli dressing

Photo: Kara Rosenlund

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Napier Quarter's mussels dressed with spring-onion and verjuice vinaigrette

Photo: Mark Roper

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Bar Alto's mussels with chilli, garlic and white wine

Photo: William Meppem

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Phil Wood's mussels with chilli and shiitake

Photo: Mark Roperpea

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Lobster mousse

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Saint Peter's scallops with citrus dressing

Photo: William Meppem

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Scallop crudo by Leonardo's Pizza Palace

Photo: Mikkel Vang

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Snapper crudo with roe and cucumber

Photo: Chris Chen

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White fish crudo with avocado, herbs and cucumber-lime dressing

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Rockmelon, lime and poppy-seed prawn co*cktails

Photo: William Meppem

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Prawn and pomelo salad with roasted chilli dressing

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Prawn co*cktail tower

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Prawn and avocado with lime

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Prawn tostadas with corn relish and chipotle crème fraîche

Photo: William Meppem

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Prawn and avocado salad with spiced tomato dressing

Photo: William Meppem

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Jordan Toft's dressed crab

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Lobster tagliolini

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Salt and pepper prawns with lemon

Photo: William Meppem

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Charred prawns on skewers with lime

Photo: Chris Chen

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Mike McEnearney's grilled prawn, watermelon and tomato salad

Photo: Will Horner

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Barbecue prawns

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Barbecued scallops with seaweed butter and rye bread

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Barbecued prawns with honey, sesame and lemon

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Easy Christmas prawns (Liberté's garlic prawns with chilli and Thai basil)

Photo: Chris Chen

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Tedesca Osteria's Whole snapper with orange and pistachio sauce

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Whole barbecued fish with chilli and peach salsa

Photo: Chris Chen

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Barbecued barramundi with macadamia romesco

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Smoked ocean trout with beans, peas and mint

Photo: William Meppem

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Seared tuna with dill cucumbers and potato salad

Photo: William Meppem

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Calamari and pounded sambal with cabbage salad

Photo: Rob Shaw

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Lobster Australienne by Mary's Underground

Photo: Will Horner

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Barbecued lobster tails with lemon drawn butter and corn-radish salad

Photo: William Meppem

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Grilled lobster tails with roast chilli butter and corn salad

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Tony Tan's guide to making black pepper crab

Photo: Rob Shaw

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Whole barbecued snapper with green papaya salad

Photo: Chris Chen

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Baked golden trout with roe

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Fleet's cured mackerel with tomatoes and sourdough bread

Photo: Kara Rosenlund

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Amy Hamilton's crab with fried-shallot butter and green peppercorns

Photo: Chris Chen

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Dan Hong's mud crab with XO sauce

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Lemongrass and lime-cured trout with rice paper crackers

Photo: William Meppem

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Beetroot-cured ocean trout with buttermilk and soft herbs

Photo: William Meppem

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Danielle Alvarez's slow-cooked ocean trout with peas, and Meyer lemon and fennel salsa

Photo: William Meppem

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Phil Wood's baked snapper with pistou

Photo: Mark Roper

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Frank Camorra's dorada al fondo con patatas (marinated whole snapper baked on potatoes and peppers)

Photo: William Meppem

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Barbecued whole fish with lemongrass and lime leaves

Photo: William Meppem

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Roast ocean trout with cucumber and preserved lemon salad

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Chilli, gin and orange salt-baked spanner crab

Photo: Alicia Taylor

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58 Christmas seafood recipes (2024)

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What seafood is often eaten at Christmas? ›