Best Easy Brodetto della Vigilia Recipe

Christmas Eve fish broth with multiple seafood varieties follows Italian holiday fasting traditions. This high protein mediterranean soup is a family Vigilia ritual.

Cook 70 min Difficulty NORMAL 240 kcal
#high protein #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • assorted white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or halibut) 1 lb
  • medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 8 oz
  • sea scallops 6 oz
  • small squid, cleaned and sliced 4 oz
  • clams, scrubbed 8 pieces
  • mussels, cleaned and debearded 8 pieces
  • extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
  • yellow onion, finely chopped 1 cup
  • celery, diced 0.5 cup
  • carrot, diced 0.5 cup
  • crushed tomatoes 1 cup
  • dry white wine 0.5 cup
  • fish stock 4 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • garlic cloves, minced 2 cloves
  • fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 0.25 cup
  • dried oregano 1 tsp
  • crushed red pepper flakes 0.25 tsp
  • sea salt 1 tsp
  • freshly ground black pepper 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 10 g 17%
Protein 28 g 47%
Fat 7 g 26%
Serving size 350g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    In a large heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally for even cooking.

  2. 2

    Add the minced garlic and sauté another minute until fragrant. Stir in the oregano and crushed red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds to bloom aromas.

  3. 3

    Pour in the white wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping any fond, until reduced by about half.

  4. 4

    Add the crushed tomatoes and fish stock. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Skim off any foam for a clear broth.

  5. 5

    Raise heat to medium-low and add clams and mussels. Cover and cook 4–5 minutes until they open. Immediately remove any that do not open.

  6. 6

    Add the shrimp, scallops, squid, and fish fillets. Simmer gently for 4–6 minutes, being careful not to overcook; seafood should just turn opaque.

  7. 7

    Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread if desired.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
A mix of assorted seafood—such as white fish fillets, shrimp, scallops, squid, clams, and mussels—are the key ingredients in Brodetto della Vigilia. They create a rich, oceanic flavor and define both the tradition and taste of this Christmas Eve soup.
Q. What are the most important cooking tips for perfect Brodetto della Vigilia?
Gently simmer the seafood and avoid high heat after adding delicate ingredients. Sequentially adding shellfish first, then shrimp, scallops, and fish fillets prevents overcooking, ensuring each stays tender while imparting flavor to the broth.
Q. How can I prevent rubbery seafood in this soup?
Monitor timing closely in the final step: cook the shrimp, scallops, squid, and fish fillets just until they turn opaque, typically 4–6 minutes. Overcooking will toughen seafood. Adding shellfish first also helps avoid overcooked textures.
Q. How many calories and how much protein are in each serving?
Each 350g serving contains approximately 240 kcal and 28g protein, with protein providing about 47% of total calories. This makes Brodetto della Vigilia a high-protein option for holiday meals.
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