Patt Family Tradition

Christmas Eve Dinner has become a long time tradition in the Patt Family. And of course we celebrate it in full Italian style! The first rule: No meat! The tradition is to have 7 different types of fish in order to represent the 7 sacraments, but we decided to have 3 this year, for the Trinity. It wouldn't be a Patt Family traditional dinner with out homemade pasta! Another tradition that has developed over the years is my Dad and I planning and cooking the dinner. this is a tradition that I have loved to be a part of and look forward to sharing it with our children some day. The event usually begins with a trip to the West Side Market to get all of our fresh ingredients, and a stop at Gus Gallucci's an authentic Italian grocery store in Cleveland. We had a huge time crunch this year, so we weren't able to make the ceremonial shopping trip, but will be sure to partake in that in the future.

So, Dad, my cousin Caitlyn and I spent the day chopping, sauteing, mixing, cutting, stirring and have a great time! We made Garlic Soup, homemade pasta with a lemon cream sauce, portabella mushroom burgers, and of course our 3 fishes, smelt, shrimp and halibut. (ya know, "Just for the 'halibut!'" Normally I would also be enjoying a glass (or bottle) of wine while cooking, but this year, had to pass on that for Goober's sake.

Our timing was perfect and dinner went off with out a hitch! We successfully served 22 people with food left over to spare! Except we ran out of fish! Which is a first, so next time we might have to consider the 7 fishes, or at least increasing our quantity of the 3. Bellies were full and smiles were abundant! Another year of tradition on the books! Thanks for the memories everyone!

The master Head Chef at work! Notice the pasta drying before being cut, as he is taking the spines out of the smelts.

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