If you watch The Bear, the episode of the chaotically intense “Fish” is burned into your brain. Hopefully, the Feast of the Seven Fishes in your home is far more tranquil and celebratory than the Bersattos’, and no cars come crashing into the house during the meal. I was intrigued by this Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition and approached chef Accursio Lota of Cori Trattoria Pastificio and his new restaurant Dora near the La Jolla Playhouse on UCSD’s campus to share his recipes and experiences with the tradition in his native Sicily—because those feasts started there but in Italy were just known as Christmas Eve. Check out my new story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Food section to get three of Lota’s seafood recipes.

And thank you to K.C. Alfred, as always for shooting such beautiful photos!