Nonna Romana Sciddurlo’s Fried Whiting

Whiting, or merluzzi, is a small fish that is often fried whole and then marinated in garlic, mint, and vinegar. While this dish can be a bit of an acquired taste, you just have to have some fried whiting to have a proper old-school Italian Christmas Eve. Nonna Romana and her sisters used to chase me around the house on Christmas Eve with a big plate trying to get me to eat it because the fish is considered “brain food,” but today, I don’t need too much convincing. I