Christmas traditions vary around the world, depending on where one grew up. However, the one holiday that unites all nations is Christmas. Serving food, eating delicious food and cultural food are an inevitable part of a festival. Likewise, many Christmas food traditions are as old as the celebration of Christmas itself. Every part of the world that celebrates Christmas has a unique, traditional Christmas food rooted in their culture.
Interestingly, while the way the holiday is celebrated and its name varies by country, there is a solid theme when it comes to traditional Christmas food. Although not exclusively, Christmas is associated with the winter months. Sweets and treats are often included in many traditional Christmas meals. Here is a list of traditional Christmas foods from countries around the world in this collection.
Lepkuchen, a traditional German Christmas dessert
Lepkuchen were first baked in monastery bakeries in Germany in the 14th century by Catholic monks. These pastries contained honey, various spices and nuts. These substances were highly valued for their healing properties and symbolic religious meaning. This traditional German treat is available everywhere.
Panettone is one of Italy’s traditional Christmas breads
It was invented by the Italians. It uses yeast, candy, fruit, chocolate, raisins and nuts.
Kurisumazu Cake – Japanese Christmas Cake
Light sponge cake coated in one layer and garnished with ripe strawberries. In Japan, Kurisumazu is called Keki. This is a delicious dessert to serve at Christmas.
Zulutortu is a Finnish Christmas dessert
Traditional puff pastries called julutortu come in the shape of windmills or stars. These Christmas tarts are often made with ricotta pastry and prune jam filling. Sometimes cinnamon and apple marmalade are inside. Julutorte has a light texture without being too creamy or heavy. The addition of prune jam, although overwhelming, gives the cookie an added sweetness. Powdered sugar can be used to decorate the top.
Pipinga is a traditional Christmas dessert in the Philippines
A baked rice cake from the Philippines called pipinga is usually eaten as a breakfast or afternoon snack during Christmas. It is usually coated with banana leaves and prepared in a terracotta oven. It can be eaten with hot drinks like coffee or chocolate.
Smoked salmon is a traditional Irish Christmas dish
Smoked salmon is a favorite dish of the Irish people. It is served on fresh green salad leaves. Salmon can be served simply with vegetables or sauce. Such smoked salmon makes a wonderful Christmas gift for co-workers, friends and family.
Dugra Mass, a traditional Indian Christmas meal
This hot pork curry is made with onions, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tamarind water, garlic, cloves and chilies. It is served as a Sunday staple in many Indian Catholic homes. The pork is seasoned with a spice blend consisting mainly of cinnamon and dried red chilies. It is often the focus of Christmas dinner in Mangalore, an Indian city with many Catholic sites. It is usually served with channas or steamed rice cakes.
Chiles en nogata, a traditional Mexican dish
This dish was first made in 1821 as part of a celebration in Puebla, Mexico to celebrate the victory of the Mexican army against the Spanish. The dish colors, red, green and white, center around the Mexican flag. At the same time they were the perfect colors for the Christmas season. The dish is prepared with chili, walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds after being filled with ground pork, fruits, nuts and spices.
Lambria de ovos, a Portuguese Christmas dessert
A sweet made from egg yolks. This recipe only requires sugar syrup, almonds and eggs.
Fruitcake, an American Christmas dessert
A fruitcake is a cake made with candy or dried fruit, nuts, spices and, if desired, alcohol.