Whether they make seven meals to reflect the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, or a dozen dishes, representing the 12 apostles, Italian-American families are dishing up a lot on fish on Christmas Eve, according to a report by lohud.com In Italy, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is more of a grand meal than a "feast." If you're going strictly by the book, Christmas Eve is a vigil, or fasting day, when celebrants abstain from eating meat or milk products -- hence, the abundance of seafood dishes.