To break the fast, a festive Christmas log is kindled, prayers are said around the presepio, and then the feast begins before midnight mass. It's difficult to say exactly what a 'typical' Italian Christmas Eve feast consists of, as there are both Sicialians and mainlanders with differing traditions. The variety of foods is almost endless. These salads are usually accompanied by a medley of sausage, olives and cheeses. Next is soup - usually a minestrone or a chicken soup with cappellini.
Pasta always follows.
The type of pasta varies, but the favored sauce is a Bolognese style with a tomato base, meat, garlic, onion and basil all simmered together as in this All Day Versatile Sauce . Next is the 'fishy' entr e, such as a seafood stew like Cioppino or Bourtheto , a traditional red snapper or classic clams . Please review our Legal Notice and Privacy Policy .