So I’m over my brother’s house in Ohio from New York. I arrived on Sunday December 21. My parents are up from Florida. My sister, her kids and her bf was here from Maine. All of them have been here since Saturday December 20.
And my sister et al had to leave yesterday morning, Dec 23.
Culinarily, the big meal around this time is the Christmas Eve meal. We’re of Italian heritage so we do seafood. “Fishmas” is also known as the “Seven Fishes” (sic) but lately is more like five.
This year’s lineup: Salmon, haddock, shrimp, crabcakes… AND…
And the headliner of the meal is linguine with oil, walnuts and anchovies.
Yes… anchovies.
Now before you start screaming, let me explain. The anchovies get dropped in the oil (and garlic) and they disintegrate. And the added flavor is very slight.
It’s been in my family since my mom married my stepdad 29 years ago. And EVERY year we’ve had it. The supporting dishes have changed over the years but the linguine has always been the centerpiece. The Stairway to Heaven. The Satisfaction, The Piano Man. Behold (this is a found pic online, but it’s the closest to what we had):
Now, as I mentioned, my sister had to leave early. So we had the Christmas Eve meal on DECEMBER 21ST!!!!!!
As a consequence, my ENTIRE SCHEDULE IS THROWN OFF!!!!!! I have no idea when Christmas is, nor what day it is nor when I’m leaving.
Heeeeeeeeeeelp!!!
Oh yeah, it passed already. Don’t worry about it!
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Smarty
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I’m actually from Staten Island so I know all about the seven fishes. lol Holiday Italian dinners are like 100 courses, it feels that way at least. 🙂
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Seriously
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Interesting! My Big Fat Mexican Christmas consists of Enchiladas, Menudo, BBQ, and Fried Turkey with sides to last us until New Year’s Eve. Then, we do it ALL over again! LoL
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Oh sounds great, I love Mexican
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Born-in-Greenpoint reporting in, Rex. My daughter gave me kielbasa and pierogi and saurkraut as part of my gift last night. So, yes, food traditions. I’ll cook mine up before New Year’s. This weekend. The exact day doesn’t matter anymore, just the taste. Syracuse wishing peace on Christmas to you all. 🙂
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Thanks, Mark, Merry Christmas! And I’m going to try to compound the white streaks off my car before anything else
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Good idea on the white streaks, Rex. What the leasing dealership doesn’t see can’t hurt them. Merry day, sir.
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Merry Christmas Rex 🙂
I never heard about the 7 fishes, I wonder from where in Italy that tradition comes from.
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Merry Christmas, my friend
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😀 <—- you made me smile really wide.
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I’m glad. Making you smile makes ME smile
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I was about to write, wider, but I’ll keep it to myself 😀
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> )
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The anchovie dish sounds scrumptious. In fact, if you posted the recipe I’d have to make it.
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I have it, will post later
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Ok here it is, I’ll send in a few parts
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Per pound of linguine, 2 cans of anchovies, 4 cloves of garlic (not diced too small), 1/2 a cup of chopped walnuts (or to taste). Toast walnuts in dry frying pan, then remove. Put half inch of olive oil in, add garlic, when garlic softens, throw nuts back in. Add anchovies, stir constantly so nothing burns. Anchovies should start to disintigrate. Add 1/2 a ladle of pasta water (you should be cooking pasta simultaneously).
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Excellent! Looks simple. I can imagine the layers of flavor with these ingridents. Thanks!
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You’re welcome. Let me know how it comes out
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Will do.
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In one message after all
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Thanks for the follow on my blog. Most appreciated. Now where’s the anchovy recipe? Please!
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I’ll get on that.
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Per pound of linguine, 2 cans of anchovies, 4 cloves of garlic (not diced too small), 1/2 a cup of chopped walnuts (or to taste). Toast walnuts in dry frying pan, then remove. Put half inch of olive oil in, add garlic, when garlic softens, throw nuts back in. Add anchovies, stir constantly so nothing burns. Anchovies should start to disintigrate. Add 1/2 a ladle of pasta water (you should be cooking pasta simultaneously).
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Nice work. Thanks!
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