Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/410828
211 the feast is primarily a southern Italian tradition but is also celebrated by many Italian-Americans hailing from other parts of Italy. It has its roots in Christianity: The term La Vigilia refers to the vigil kept on the eve of the birth of Christ. The long- standing Roman Catholic practice of abstinence from meat on the eves of holydays plays into the history as well—pastas and vegetables are offere but no meat is served. As for the significance of the number seven, other Catholic tradition references the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and the seven hills surrounding Rome. There's even the biblical Genesis reference to "the seventh day" on which God rested after six days of creation. Fami- lies prepare at minimum seven types of fish and other types of seafood—many prepare even more. I spoke with Nino and Angelo DiCenso, of Dona- tello's restaurant in Saugus, and their sister Maria. Merullo's Baccalá salted cod salad; baby octopus with capers and kalamata olives; and shrimp with hot chilis, white wine, and lemon olive oil over spaghetti in a marinara sauce. Above, Nino DiCenso of Donatello's in Saugus. Photograph by Glenn Scott; by Lauren Poussard (right)