Around the world with colorful Christmas parties
(Baonghean.vn) - With different customs, each country in the world welcomes Christmas with unique dishes, representing colorful culinary quintessence.
1. United Kingdom
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A popular tradition in Britain is to use the turkey's fork bone (located between the neck and breast) to make a wish. |
The British Christmas meal consists of roast turkey or goose, sometimes with ham, pork, fried potatoes, vegetables, especially brussel sprouts, chipolatas (a British sausage), and gravy. A popular tradition in the UK is to use the turkey's fork bone (located between the neck and breast) to make a wish. Two people pull on the bone until it breaks, and the person holding the larger piece gets to make a wish. Dessert is plum pudding and brandy sauce.
2. French Republic
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Buche De Noel (Yule Log) at Christmas parties in France. |
Le Réveillon is the name of the Christmas Eve dinner, which usually begins at midnight. Like in most Western countries, goose or turkey are popular choices, which are stuffed with chestnuts and other ingredients and then roasted. The dishes are served with champagne or wine.
Dessert is a sponge cake roll filled with buttercream and decorated to look like a log (called Buche de Noel). In the Provence region of France, the traditional feast includes 13 desserts, representing Christ and the 12 apostles.
3. Spain
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Seafood soup is the choice of Spanish people during Christmas. |
Christmas in Spain begins on December 8, marking the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Christmas Eve dinner – La Nochebuena – begins at 10pm on the 24th. The dishes vary depending on the region, but mainly include pâté and ham. Seafood soups are also quite popular, especially in coastal areas. A favorite dessert of the Spanish people is almond cake, a sweet cake with honey, sugar, and roasted almonds.
4. Australia
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In Australia, Christmas falls in the middle of summer, so it's no surprise that most parties are held outdoors. |
In Australia, Christmas falls in the middle of summer, so it is no surprise that most parties take place outdoors. Barbecues and outdoor dining are popular. The weather is quite hot, so seafood and cold cuts are also very popular. In addition, people often have puddings, cakes, fresh fruit, chilled drinks, etc. for dessert.
5. Japan
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Every December 25th, Japanese people eat KFC fried chicken to celebrate Christmas. |
What is unusual about Christmas in Japan is that people often choose to eat their fill at a fast food chain store KFC. In 1970, KFC advertised that the traditional Western Christmas food was fried chicken. The advertising campaign was quite successful and became widely popular. So every December 25th, Japanese people eat KFC fried chicken to celebrate Christmas.
6 - Federal Republic of Germany
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Christstollen is a sweet bread filled with dried fruit and is a traditional German dish. |
Christmas in Germany is usually celebrated on December 25-26. On this occasion, families often gather on Christmas Eve with a fairly simple traditional meal. Roast goose and carp are the main dishes, while potatoes, cabbage, kale, and sauerkraut are side dishes. Christstollen is a sweet bread filled with dried fruit, a traditional German dish. Nuts are a favorite snack of people on Christmas Eve. In addition, other favorite dishes are gingerbread, cookies, and chestnut cakes.
7. Russia
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Kutya - a Russian Christmas dish made from wheat or grain, symbolizing hope and longevity. |
On Christmas Eve in Russia, people do not eat meat, but celebrate the holiday. The main dish is a thick porridge called kutya. It is made from wheat or grain (symbolizing hope and longevity), honey and poppy seeds (symbolizing happiness, success and peace). A blessing ceremony is held. A priest, followed by boys holding cups of holy water, enters the house and sprinkles holy water in each room. Kutya is eaten from a common plate, symbolizing unity.
8. India
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A popular Indian Christmas dish is Vindaloo (made from pork). |
Although Christianity is rare in India, Christmas has been gaining ground in recent years. Popular dishes include Vindaloo (pork), curry rice and vegetables, and sweets or cakes for dessert. Some families also cook turkey or chicken dishes.
9. Brazil
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Brazil's multicultural communities have many different ways of celebrating Christmas. |
A traditional dinner consists of roast turkey, vegetables and fruit. Beer and wine are often served. Panettone (Italian almond cake) and stollen (German sweet bread) are also served. If it is a large feast, ham, coloured rice, fresh vegetables and fruit are often served. Those less fortunate eat rice and chicken or beans. In some regions, the feast begins the day before Christmas at 9pm, while in others it starts at midnight and the children are fed first.
10. Philippines
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Colorful Filipino banquet table - Photo: Smithsonianmag.com |
Christmas is one of the most important holidays for Filipinos, celebrated with a feast on Nochebuena night. A traditional feast must include dishes like queso debola (Edam cheese), puto bumbong (purple rice steamed in bamboo tubes, served with butter and coconut sauce), ensaymada (sweet bread) and bacon.
Filipinos will celebrate until dawn. Then, the first morning of the Christmas holiday will be spent visiting family and relatives.
11. Czech Republic
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Czech people's dining table during Christmas - Photo: Smithsonianmag.com |
Christmas dinner is the main meal of the day and for many people it is also the first meal of the day. Traditional dishes in the Czech Republic include fish soup and pan-fried carp served with potato salad.
This dish is usually prepared a day in advance. In addition, sweets are also very popular such as gingerbread cookies, apple pie and vanocka, a type of twisted butter bread.
12. Africa
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Luwombo - A typical African Christmas dish. |
For African countries, Christmas is a spiritual holiday. It is common to gather together and have a family dinner after church. People here often eat dishes made from goat meat, rice, bread, steamed bananas, sweet potatoes or potatoes. Some famous dishes include Luwombo, a traditional beef or chicken dish from Uganda, or fufu and okra soup from Ghana. Many people in South Africa will enjoy the holiday at the beach, barbecuing with family and friends.
Kim Ngoc
(Synthetic)
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