Never heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes? You may soon. It's a Southern Italian meatless Christmas Eve meal, celebrated in many Italian-American homes, especially on parts of the East Coast.
"La Vigilia" is relatively unknown in south Louisiana, where Sicilian descendents have kept alive the St. Joseph's Day tradition. The feast has some similarities. And it's not necessarily always seven fish dishes on the menu.
Source: http://www.nola.com