what does italy eat on christmas

On Christmas Eve in Italy, it is traditional to eat seven different fish dishes, as a symbol of the seven hills of Rome. The meal often starts with a fish appetizer such as fried or grilled sardines, followed by pasta with a seafood sauce. Other common dishes include baccala (salted codfish), squid, octopus, or stuffed calamari. For dessert, it's common to enjoy panettone or other sweet pastries. Some families also enjoy a warm, sweet wine called vin brule.