Christmas is just a week away and we can’t keep calm!
Festive season brings the essence of tradition with itself and food is the heart and soul of tradition. So as the festive season unfolds, Christmas traditions also come alive with a symphony of flavors that reflect the rich tapestry of cultures across the globe.
Here are some of the traditional Christmas delicacies from around the globe:
1. India: Dukra Maas (Pork Bafat)
Owing to its history that made it a country with diverse cultures, India also celebrates Christmas with a touch of tradition. In Indian Catholic households, the air is infused with the tantalizing aroma of Dukra Maas, a spicy pork curry that has become a beloved Christmas tradition. Originating from Mangalore, this dish is a harmonious blend of onions, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tamarind water, and a generous amount of garlic cloves and hot chiles. Enhanced by Bafat powder, a spice mixture featuring dried red chiles and cinnamon, it takes pride of place on Mangalorean Christmas menus, often accompanied by sannas (steamed rice cakes).
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2. France: Bûche De Noël
From the heart of France comes the enchanting Bûche De Noël, also known as the Yule log. This dessert, resembling a miniature Yule log, graces tables in European countries and French colonies. Crafted from a rolled sponge cake, it features layers of yellow cake and chocolate buttercream, adorned with meringue or marzipan mushrooms, branches, and berries. A sweet homage to the Yule log burned in parts of Europe and North America during Christmastime, this French delicacy is a visual and culinary delight.
3. Japan: KFC
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In Japan, the Christmas dinner queue forms not for a traditional turkey but for a $40 fried chicken feast with the Colonel. Originating from a 1974 KFC marketing campaign, this unique tradition sees people embracing the Americanness of fried chicken on Christmas, even though only about 1 percent of the Japanese population identifies as Christian. The festive meal includes fried chicken, salad, cake, and Champagne, symbolizing a modern and unconventional celebration.
4. St. Maarten: Guavaberry Rum
In the idyllic setting of St. Maarten, Christmas carolers are welcomed with not just songs but also a shot of Guavaberry rum. This local tradition involves sharing the spirit of the season with a sip of this unique liquor, crafted from oak-aged rum, cane sugar, and hand-picked guava berries. A gesture of appreciation, this tradition encapsulates the warmth and hospitality of the island during the holiday season.
5. Germany: Feuerzangenbowle
Germany introduces us to the captivating Feuerzangenbowle, a twist on traditional mulled wine that adds a fiery spectacle to Christmas markets throughout December. Starting as a warm glühwein infused with orange peel, cinnamon, and cardamom, this beverage undergoes a magical transformation. A rum-soaked sugar cone, known as zuckerhut, is set ablaze over the wine, infusing the spiced liquid with caramelized, boozy sweetness. It's a true sensory experience that captures the essence of German holiday festivities.
6. Sweden: Julbord and Julskinka
In Sweden, Christmas Eve transforms into a grand celebration with the Julbord, a lavish buffet featuring an assortment of cold fish, meats, cheese, and pickles. Among the culinary stars is Julskinka, the Christmas ham, which is boiled, roasted to perfection, and served cold alongside an array of festive delights. This festive smorgasbord exemplifies the spirit of togetherness and indulgence that defines Swedish Christmas celebrations.
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7. Poland: Wiglia
In Poland, Christmas Eve, known as Wiglia, takes on a unique character with a meat-free menu that commences with the appearance of the first star in the sky. A solemn tradition sees families breaking Christmas wafers together, exchanging wishes for good health and prosperity. The elaborate feast, consisting of 12 dishes symbolizing the 12 apostles, includes red borscht, mushroom soup, carp, herring, pierogi, braised sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, kutia (wheat berry pudding), gingerbread, poppyseed cake, and dried fruit. This meat-free extravaganza embodies the Polish spirit of Christmas, where tradition and symbolism intertwine in a culinary celebration.
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8. Mexico: Tamales
In Mexico, Christmas is synonymous with the tantalizing aroma of tamales wafting through the air. These traditional masa dough parcels, filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings, are steamed in corn husks. Tamales are a labor of love, often prepared as a communal effort by family and friends. Whether stuffed with pork, chicken, or sweet ingredients like cinnamon and sugar, tamales are a festive treat that brings joy and togetherness to Mexican Christmas celebrations.
9. Australia: Prawns on the Barbie
Down under, Christmas takes a decidedly outdoor turn with the popular tradition of cooking prawns on the barbecue, known colloquially as "Prawns on the Barbie." As Australians celebrate the holiday season in the summer heat, seafood, and especially prawns, become a staple of the festive feast. Families gather in parks or by the beach, enjoying a casual and sun-soaked Christmas meal that reflects the laid-back Aussie lifestyle.
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10. Greenland: Whale and Reindeer meat
In Greenland, Christmas dinner stands out for its distinctive offerings. Among the country's notable delicacies are whale meat and reindeer meat, with a particular specialty known as mattak gracing the festive table. Mattak comprises strips of whale blubber encased in whale skin, offering a uniquely chewy texture. Another favored dish is kiviak, a preparation made from a blend of meat, fat, blood, herbs, and berries. This mixture is carefully wrapped in robbenbalg (seal skin) and preserved through freezing, creating a flavorful and preserved treat that adds a unique touch to Greenland's holiday culinary traditions.
