10 Surprising Christmas Foods From Around the World
Whether it is a lavish, unique feast or a simple, familiar one, on Christmas Eve, some countries around the world will prepare different attractive traditional dishes.
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| Julbord (Sweden):Traditionally, every family in Sweden prepares a Julbord meal on Christmas Eve with a variety of delicious foods such as herring, cold cuts, pate, reindeer sausages, stews, potatoes and cheeses... All are displayed tightly on the table. The main dish and certainly cannot be missed is a plate of ham (julskinka) and breadcrumbs. The meal is so complex and elaborate that specialized chefs often start preparing it a month in advance. Photo: Foto Graft |
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| Yule Log Cake (France):According to a medieval tradition, before Christmas, families in France would bring a log into their homes. This custom may have led to the emergence of a new tradition. Accordingly, people would prepare a dessert called Yule log. The cake is made of chocolate sponge roll, filled with butter inside, and decorated on the outside to resemble a log covered in bark. Photo: Brynhildundomiel |
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| Chocolates (Peru):In the last days of the year, Peru is entering the season of summer with warm weather. Therefore, instead of drinking a cup of hot chocolate, people will mix it into sweet candies. Chocolatadas are made from condensed milk, strong wine, cream, butter... served with Biscocho or Panettone bread, a type of cake originating from Italy and popular throughout South America. This is also a traditional Christmas breakfast loved by many Peruvian families. Photo: Whiskey Chicks |
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| Chicken Bone Candy (Canada):Perhaps because of its tiny shape resembling a chicken bone, the name of this traditional Canadian Christmas treat always makes first-time listeners feel excited and curious. Appearing since the 1880s, "Chicken Bone Candy" simply consists of a cinnamon shell around and a dark chocolate filling inside. To date, 700 million pieces have been produced with a variety of shapes and flavors. However, the original shaped candies are still loved and favored by many people. Photo: Sherrie |
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| Feast of the Seven Fishes (Italy):The feast of seven fishes is a unique Christmas Eve tradition in southern Italy and Italian-American families, celebrating the anticipation of the birth of Jesus. This ritual originates from the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat and eating only fish. The meal includes 10 different types of fish, of which salted cod is the most popular, pasta and vegetables. Photo: 1ZOOM |
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| Hallaca (Venezuela):Hallaca is a long-standing culinary tradition and one of the most iconic symbols of Venezuela. People here use corn flour to make the crust, the filling can be meat, capers, raisins, olives or seafood, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Photo: Fwfx |
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| Fried Chicken (Japan):In a country with very little turkey, the Japanese have found an alternative to fried chicken for their traditional Christmas dinner. Since the 1970s, people have been pre-ordering buckets of fried chicken to avoid long lines on Christmas Eve. The chain of restaurants selling this dish records that during the festive period, sales always reach their highest level every year. Fried chicken has become a dish that brings the Christmas atmosphere to Japan. Photo: Asian Foodies. |
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| Kiviak (Greenland):Kiviak is a unique Christmas dish in Greenland. People here take the meat of a small Arctic bird, wrap it in fatty seal skin and bury it underground for several months. When it reaches a certain level of decomposition and the fermentation process softens the meat, the dish is dug up and served. Photo: Living Hours |
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| Lebkuchen (Germany):Much like gingerbread, Lebkuchen is a popular German Christmas treat, invented by monks in the 13th century. With many ingredients such as honey, cloves, ginger, cardamom and a mixture of nuts, candied fruits, this eye-catching cookie attracts diners with its spicy to sweet taste. Labkuchen is often bought as a gift for loved ones. Photo: Elizavetabauer |
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| Carp (Poland):In Poland, carp is the centrepiece of the Christmas meal. Traditionally, to ensure optimum freshness, the fish is bought in advance and kept alive in large vats or bathtubs until Christmas Eve. It is then delicately scaled, salted and fried in olive oil. Photo: Christmas Wallpaper |
