In our family Christmas Eve was always just as big a celebration as Christmas Day. It started with my grandmother who was born in Roseto Valfortore and came to Canada in her early 20's - so I wonder if this was a Rosetani tradition - or more so - just an Italian tradition.

Years ago, when my cousins and I were all young - the entire family spent it together - but of course that changed as the kids grew and formed their own individual families. However, one thing that remained, at least in my own family was the traditional food - that being mainly seafood.

The star of the menu was always the pasta with red sauce - except that on this evening it had lots of seafood added to it: shrimp, tuna, squid (calamari) etc. And platters of different varities of breaded fish. I think as the years went on the next generation added different things. For instance - Christmas in my mother's house ususally starts with Shrimp Cocktail; then we have the pasta with the seafood sauce; then comes platters of breaded shrimp, scallops, oysters, white fish - you name it. Along with that she does a stuffed calamari in the oven (not my favorite by a long shot). And of course to tame all of this down a little there are some vegetables and a salad - and all the baked goods that come afterwards.

This year my sister and I wrestled Christmas Eve away from my mother (she is now 80 - and did "not" want to give it up) but we are going to do our own variation of the seafood - so it should be interesting. Each generation changes a little I think.

Of course Christmas day brings in the Turkey and all of the trimmings - but I would be curious what - if anything - other Rostani families do for Christmas Eve.

I'll take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and wonderful Christmas season filled with family and friends.
Lynda