What does your family cook for Christmas day? Around Christmas time there are lots and lots of main dishes served across the world depending on where you live, the religions you follow, and a family’ s culture/traditions. Here, I would like to highlight different cuisines from across the globe, so without further ado.. let us begin!
Starting with the wonderful US: Consumers say that the #1 most popular Christmas dish is Roasted Potatoes… America, what are we doing? Personally, I think that it’s crazy to say that we base Christmas dishes around bland roasted potatoes. Anyway, traditionally, most Americans will enjoy roasted meat, like ham or turkey, alongside stuffing, gravy, Mac and cheese, and loads of other side dishes. I believe that Christmas dinner is very similar to Thanksgiving but some people could argue that. In fact. I know that some Americans actually make ham for Thanksgiving instead of a turkey! Some various desserts in America include sugar cookies, various pies, and fruit cakes.
Christian Christmas day dinner: Historically, Christians “Feasted after Fasting” because most didn’t eat meat during advent. To Christians, this symbolized God’s abundance and provision. A Catholic tradition in some of America, but mostly Southern Italy, was replacing all meat with fish resembling the “Feast of the Seven Fishes” that followed Lenten- like fasting rules. Some desserts that are usually had at faith guided dinners over the years are Figgy Puddings and Christstollen. (A marzipan-filled fruit bread, covered in powdered sugar)
Italian Cuisine: An average Italian Christmas dinner has around 4 courses! The first course is the Antipasto (No meat charcuterie), which contains various cheeses, artichokes, and olives. The first entree of the night would be Cappelletti in brodo, which is a stuffed pasta in broth. The second starts with either roast lamb, roast pork, bollito misto (mixed boiled meats), or baked eel! Yuck! And of course the final course: The sweets! Italian delicacies for Christmas include Panettone (Fruit bread), Torrone (Nougat), and Pandoro (Verona’s star-shaped cake).
Traditional Germany: Germany has lots and lots of popular Christmas dishes, all with very strange spelling. Some meats that are very commonly cooked at Christmas dinner are Roast Goose/Duck that is stuffed with apples and onions, Pork roast, venison, boar, and Beef Rouladen. Some sides- or beilagens – in Germany consist of potatoes and bread dumplings, red cabbage, and spaetzle (soft egg noodles, similar to macaroni and cheese). And of course, the desserts (Nachspeisen). Three very traditional desserts consumed in Germany include bratapfel, which are baked apples stuffed with nuts, marzipan, and raisins, stollen- a fruit studded sweet bread, and a vast array of Christmas cookies like gingerbread (Lebkuchen) and vanilla crescents( Vanillekipferl).
I hope that with this new Christmas season you try new cuisines from all around the world. And who knows.. you may even like it!
