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italian seafood stew for christmas eve

Zuppa di Pesce (Italian Seafood Stew)

Zuppa di pesce is a rich and flavorful seafood stew, traditionally served during the Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. The dish features a mix of fresh seafood like cod, shrimp, mussels, and clams, all simmered in a tomato-based broth with garlic, fennel, and aromatic herbs.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American, Mediterranean
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Seafood:
  • 1 lb cod or similar firm white fish
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 lb mussels
  • 1 lb littleneck clams
  • 1/2 lb squid cut into rings
For the Broth:
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 lb shrimp shells for flavor base
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 fennel bulb diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp oregano dried
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine like Pinot Grigio
  • 1 1/2 cups clam juice
  • 1 1/2 cups passata or crushed tomatoes
  • Pinch of saffron optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish chopped
For Serving:
  • Crusty bread like sourdough or ciabatta
  • Optional: Linguine for a heartier meal

Method
 

Prepare the Broth Base:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add shrimp shells and cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn pink and slightly browned. Remove shells and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add diced onion, fennel, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 7-9 minutes until soft and golden.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the dry white wine and reduce by half (about 5 minutes).
  5. Add clam juice, tomato passata, and saffron (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until the broth thickens.
Prepare the Seafood:
  1. Squid: Add to the simmering broth and cook for 15 minutes until tender.
  2. Cod: Add cod pieces to the pot and cook for 5-8 minutes until opaque and flakes easily.
  3. Shrimp: Add shrimp and cook for 2-4 minutes until pink and curled.
  4. Clams and Mussels: In a separate skillet, steam clams and mussels with white wine and olive oil for 5-8 minutes until they open. Discard any that remain closed. Add them to the main pot with their cooking liquid.
Finishing the Dish:
  1. Let the stew rest off the heat for 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  2. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  3. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
  1. Serve the stew family-style in wide bowls with crusty bread on the side.

Notes

  • You can prepare the tomato base a day ahead to save time.
  • If you can't find all the seafood listed, you can substitute based on availability—just make sure to adjust the cooking times.
  • This dish is perfect for holiday gatherings but can also be enjoyed any time with fresh seafood.