A Christmas Eve Tradition Straight from Our Family Table
If there was one recipe that told me Christmas had officially arrived, it was my dad’s Clams Oreganata.
Every Christmas Eve started before sunrise. My dad would take us into New York City to the fish market, where the streets were packed with families carrying boxes of fresh seafood, everyone getting ready for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
Well… in our family, seven fishes was never enough!
It was more like twenty different kinds of fish.
The fish market was one of my favorite places to be. I can still hear the vendors calling out the day’s freshest catch, see the piles of beautiful seafood on ice, and watch my dad carefully picking out every clam, shrimp, lobster, crab, and fish. He never settled for anything less than the best.
Back home, the kitchen instantly came to life.
Someone was chopping garlic.
Someone was squeezing fresh lemons.
Someone else was yelling, “Hurry up! Everybody will be here soon!”
The olive oil was being passed around, breadcrumbs were everywhere, and every inch of the kitchen was filled with family.
Then my dad would begin making his famous Clams Oreganata.
He had such a special touch. The buttery garlic breadcrumbs mixed with Pecorino Romano, Italian parsley, oregano, and fresh lemon were piled generously onto every clam before they went into the oven. As they baked, the entire house filled with the incredible aroma of toasted garlic, butter, herbs, and fresh seafood. It was impossible not to gather around the oven waiting for them to come out.
The best part was squeezing fresh lemon over the hot clams just before taking that first bite. That bright burst of citrus with the crispy golden breadcrumbs and tender sweet clams was absolute perfection.
Every Christmas Eve, these clams disappeared almost as fast as they came out of the oven.
Although they’ll always remind me of Christmas, there’s no reason to wait until December to make them. They’re perfect for family dinners, holidays, or anytime you want to bring a little taste of Italy into your home.
Every time I make this recipe, I’m reminded of those early mornings with my dad at the fish market, the laughter filling our kitchen, and the love that surrounded our table. Those moments are the true ingredients that made every meal unforgettable.
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