“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, proclaims a famous Christmas Carol. While Christmas is simply a day-long festival, the entire month of December is an unbridled celebration. It brings together family, friends and loved ones, in a festive season like no other. Food of course is a huge part of those celebrations. We of course are obsessed with Christmas traditions, and today we begin our exploration of the best Christmas foods from around the world. This list is so comprehensive we’re actually going to make it a 2 part special. So without any further ado, let’s dive in.
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Mexico: Bacalao de Mexicana
While a mention of Christmas doesn’t typically shout, salted cod, this is anything but an ordinary Christmas. It’s a Mexican Christmas, and of course salted Cod, which is a Mexican staple, had to feature. Unlike its Portuguese avatar however, this christmas food favourite is seasoned with the traditional Mexican fixings like tomato paste, dried ancho chilies, potato, onions and cilantro.
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Israel / Poland: Potato Latkes
Latkes are fried potato pancakes and they are a staple of any Jewish meal. The Jewish community claims to be oneof the most geographically diverse around the world. In fact latkes are found in different variations among multiple Jewish communities the world over. What makes them a Christmas dish has more to do with their timing. As the cold season starts and intensifies across Europe, these fried potato pancakes, made in light Olive Oil are a universal favourite in Poland. They’re normally served with sour cream and some form of a meat stew.
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Greece: Melomakarona
A flour cookie like no other. This delicate treat is fashioned using simple ingredients like flour, olive oil and honey. The resultant cookie, often topped with crushed pistachios and / or almonds, is a wildly popular Christmas food and sells out weeks before Christmas in local Grecian bakeries.
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Italy: Panettone
Christmas in Italy is synonymous with Panettone. Especially in Northern Italy, where it is an integral part of a family’s celebrations. Panettone is made with candied fruit, chocolate, raisins and nuts. There’s little to no argument that the one Panettone to have at your table is made by Zaghis. Their other sought after treats include Pandoro and Colombina.
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France: La Buche de Noel
Better known as the Yule Log, France’s entry onto this list is unsurprisingly a dessert. La Buche de Noel, is a chocolate dessert that is shaped like a log in the fireplace. Essentially a sponge cake with chocolate buttercream frosting, this is one dessert that is aesthetically pleasing and decadent to boot.
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India: Vindaloo
Christmas in India is a grand affair for the Christian community. Nowhere is thsi grandeur better reflected, than in the coastal state of Goa. Vindaloo is a pork or chicken gravy that uses a curry paste that is seasoned with traditional vinegar, onions, port wine, red chillies and salt. The dish is oftentimes made up to 10 days in advance and kept in a freezer, in order to let the flavours soak into the meat.
Our culinary adventure into the heart of Christmas food dishes is only half-way done. Do stay tuned for part 2 of this journey. Until then do feel free to explore our comprehensive list of culinary ingredients and kitchen equipment here.