Dinnertime, for an Italian family, is sacred. It’s an opportunity to gather around the table, share a meal, drink some good wine and engage in great conversation. The spread on Christmas Eve represents the heart of this tradition. The Feast of the Seven Fishes — for which seven seafood items are prepared — has been handed down through generations. It’s a rite of passage for some families who share recipes created by grandparents and parents.

“It’s a time to be together in the kitchen,” said Anthony DiPietro, owner of DeLallo Italian Marketplace in Jeannette. “Making the meal is as important as enjoying it. It doesn’t matter if you bake it or fry the fish. What matters is that you do it together.”