Christmas Food Traditions

Christmas food traditions vary from one country to another. Over the years, several new dishes have been incorporated into the Christmas food menus as people from different countries migrate to distant places. As such the culture and lifestyle reflects a mixture of all the cultures. Check out the unique food traditions this festive season.

Unique food traditions on Christmas

 

The practice of experimenting with ingredients and trying out new recipes on Christmas is common. One of the unique Christmas food traditions is cookie exchange. You bake different types of cookies of differing tastes and shapes. You invite guests at home who carry cookies made by them.

 

Next, cookies are exchanged with your guests. It is customary to bring at least 2/3 dozens of cookies.

 

An interesting way of making your Christmas tree attractive and “edible” is to decorate the tree with food. How is this done You decorate it with candies, chocolates, bells made of chocolates, cookies, and jelly drops. You can also make a small tree with gingerbread and peanut butter.

 

Including ethnic and traditional food in the midday meal is one way to let your children know the family tradition. For instance, in Germany, goose forms an essential part of the Christmas feast.

 

Non-traditional Christmas food

 

Non-traditional food has gained prominence and is incorporated in Christmas food menus. Some of the non-traditional food options are – fried chicken, pizza, chili, Chinese food, cheese and macaroni, and pasta.

Italian food traditions

Christmas lunch (Pranzo di Natale) and Christmas Eve supper (Cena della Vigilia) is same in almost all the villages and towns in Italy. But every place has its own specialty. Food consumed on Christmas in Italy mainly comprises panzerotti, Calabrese soppressata, roast potatoes, panettone, Apulian mozzarella, tortellini in brodo, cappone ripieni al forno, insalata di rinforzo, and struffoli.

Russian food traditions

Christmas duck, wheat Lenten (sochivo), sbiten, koliadki, fish in aspic, turkey, beef stew, prunes, and cheese with tomatoes are common. Cognac is also served. Other dishes include – mushrooms, bobalki. Christmas Eve dinner in Russia is known as kutya. At dinner table, some food is thrown up to the ceiling. If the food particles get stuck in the ceiling, it is considered lucky. It also indicates that the harvest in the following year will be good.

German food traditions

There are several traditional Christmas German dishes that are prepared during the festive season. Some of them are – Weihnachtsgebaeck, Christmas goose, Fondue, Gluehwein, rehruecken, raclette, karpfen, kartoffelsalat, weinachtspunsch, bratapfel, marzipankartoffeln, zimtsterne, and gingerbread.

Sicily food traditions

Seven Fishes feast is held on Christmas Eve dinner in Sicily. In some parts of Sicily, people have 12 fishes that represent the 12 apostles. Traditional dishes included in Christmas menu include – clams, calamari, shrimp, crab, mussels, baccala, whitefish, mussel marinara, lobster, cannellini beans, fried flounder filet, tuna fish, and lobster ravioli.

Indian food traditions

Indian food is spicy in most of the cases. Turkey spiced with lemon juice, garam masala, garlic, ginger, cumin powder, and clove tastes very good. Follow up the spicy dishes with dessert. Christmas food in India comprises vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food. Other dishes prepared on this festive occasion include – pork vindaloo, sorpotel, avail, coconut lamb stew, roast duck, biryani, different types of chicken curry, and fish preparations.

Latin American food traditions on Christmas

The top Latin American food traditions on Christmas include tostones, cazuela de ave, turkey, oven roasted chicken, pan de Pascua, coquito, panettone, lechon, arroz con leche, moros y cristiano, bunuelos, tamales, and caja China.

The culinary habits also depend on the culture, customs, and traditions followed by people belonging to different cultures. Owing to multiculturalism, food habits, lifestyles differ and so do the food traditions.

Last updated on 14/07/2011