January 6, the Epiphany, marked the end of the holiday season but I’m still thinking about my favorite holiday dish, capitone (female eel). I’m a bit obsessed with it. Slippery on the outside but tender, pure white and tasty eel appears on many tables across Italy on Christmas Eve.
My traditional family recipe is marinated eel but recipes range from spit-roasted and fried to stewed and grilled. I’ve come to love grilled eel. It’s simple to prepare and delicious.
Step 1: fire up the grill or fireplace
Step 2: place eel pieces on grill
Step 3: remove when skin is crisp
Step 4: sprinkle with salt and fresh lemon and enjoy!
Memories of my grandfather Edmundo from Salerno cleaning a bucket of live slippery creatures are fresh in my heart and mind. Still wriggling inch long chunks of eel were broiled, skin on. The heightening aroma of fish oil and smoke flooded the kitchen from floor to ceiling. Once cooled they were marinated with chopped parsley, olive oil and vinegar for 2 days leading up to the festivities.
Memories of my grandfather Edmundo from Salerno cleaning a bucket of live slippery creatures are fresh in my heart and mind. Still wriggling inch long chunks of eel were broiled, skin on. The heightening aroma of fish oil and smoke flooded the kitchen from floor to ceiling. Once cooled they were marinated with chopped parsley, olive oil and vinegar for 2 days leading up to the festivities.
As tastes have changed eel has definitely lost its popularity on many tables but remains a favorite on ours. 
Countdown on, only 4 hours until the feast begins. I’ve got my eyes on the bowl of hearty, savory and succulent pieces of eel. Luckily they’re no longer moving. Merry Christmas!!!