Let's Talk About Christmas Food
Christmas is two days away, and like a lot of families at this time of year, I'm helping plan my family's annual Christmas dinner! This year, we've got turkey, the fixings, pies, and white grape bubbly. I've been trying to figure out what to talk about on my blog as well, since I've been absorbed into my own trauma work recently. I decided (finally) to delve into Christmas around the world, and what kind of foods especially are held in high regard during this time of year.
Mint is everywhere at this time: peppermint mocha, mint chocolate cookies, everything is mint all of a sudden. Although it's a sweet relief after the storm of pumpkin-everything that hit relatively hard this year (how many damn times was I served something that looked like butterscotch pudding when in reality it was, in fact, pumpkin?!), it'll become old news by January.
Americans also love their turkey: we get it twice a year, at Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas. When turkey becomes insufferable, we often will go for ham. All the traditional sides come with it as well: mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, veggies (whatever your family likes), and at the end of it all comes, traditionally, a pumpkin pie. It's pretty much second Thanksgiving.
Hell, Americans love Christmas dinner so much, they have a song about it.
The Quebecois have this thing called Tourtiere pie that's eaten on major holidays: it's a basic pork pie in a buttery crust. The filling differs from family to family: some will add turkey to the pork, some will add potatoes. Either way, it's kind of tradition to only have tourtiere homemade, rather than buying the frozen ones in the store. Oftentimes, you will find older generations of the Quebecois using ketchup as a dip for their pie, even though it's kind of taboo.
Quebec also brags about a well-known Christmas market every year, which allows patrons to indulge in the aesthetic of the city as well as the gifts offered by local businesses. Maple flavoured everything is pretty popular, even to the point that the stores where I am (I live near a large Quebecois settlement) also carry the maple candies around this time of year.
In French, the preferred Christmas greeting is "Joyeux Noël!"
Mexico has this very interesting Christmas tradition called "Las Posada" which is a procession that occurs from the 16th to Christmas eve where children are given candles and figures of the holy family and go around singing. The houses each turn them away until they reach the right one, which allows them to enter and have a party. Another version of this I learned was that they were not to be allowed in until the reached a local church.
Food differs from family to family: some prefer tamales, while others prefer oxtail soup. Piñatas are often brought out as well, which are filled with candy or small gifts.
A common hymn sung during this time is Que Preciosas Mañanitas.
"Feliz Navidad," like the song, is how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish.
England has some interesting traditions, especially when it comes to Crimbo food: first of all, no setting out cookies for Santa: British Santa gets brandy and a mincemeat pie. England also shares the tradition of roast turkey for Christmas, except they often plate it was tiny, bacon wrapped sausages as well. Somehow, this wasn't brought over along with a lot of traditions when the Puritans came. Brussel sprouts are also commonly served along with the turkey, which, okay whatever. Bread sauce is also a mainly British thing which is a sauce that utilises bread as a thickener (a trick that dates back to the Middle Ages, by the way).
Following the meal is something called a Christmas Pudding: a sort of fruitcake that's been steeped in alcohol for the past few months and which is lit on fire in order to burn it off. Christmas pudding is pretty good, although if you don't like an alcoholic flavour, it won't be for you. This is also not to be confused with "Figgy Pudding" which is an entirely different thing.
Around Twelfth Night, chicken pies are often eaten (they contain only chicken and gravy), and Crimbo celebrations tend to be closed out. This is one of my favourite traditions that my family brought over from England and Wales hundreds of years ago.
And of course, bonus info, Mari Lewd for anyone who's interested.
Italian Christmas starts on December 8th, on the Day of Immaculate Conception (which doesn't represent the day Mary conceived, but the day she herself was conceived). On Christmas Eve, red meat isn't allowed, only fasting (in the medieval sense: a fish on Fridays sort of thing). Baccalà , or salted cod, is a traditional dish that is served on the 24th. On Christmas Day, feasting begins: roast meat, pasta, and traditional desserts. Panettone, a sweet bread, is often served on the 25th, and so is pasta en brodo-pasta in broth. Like many other European countries, Christmas festivities last for 12 days, and bring with them lots of delicious foods.
"Ti auguro Buon Natale" means "I wish you a Merry Christmas" In Italian.
Germany is kind of the King of modern Christmas: ever since Queen Victoria introduced these traditions to the UK in the 19th century, they've been mainstays in households around the world since. One of the more well known dishes served on this day is Stollen: a dense fruit bread that is dusted with powdered sugar. Germans also really like to have Hippocras (spiced wine) around this time of year, as well as an assortment of different sweets and chocolates from the Christmas Market. On Christmas eve, the more popular choice of main course is goose, although other families might prefer duck, rabbit, etc.
Another traditional drink served around this time is Feuerzangenbowle, or fire punch. It's oftentimes lit on fire when presented.
"Fröhliche Weihnachten!" is how to say Merry Christmas in German.
Christmas has invaded Japan, and they've created their own customs for this time of year! One of the really interesting aspects of Japanese Christmas traditions is how fried chicken, usually KFC chicken, is commonly eaten as Christmas Dinner. It's become so much of a thing that KFC created an annual deal for a large dinner meal that includes a large serving of chicken and sides, served in a festive bucket, and which comes with a chocolate cake. Another commonly eaten dish for Christmas in Japan is the infamous strawberry shortcake: vanilla sponge cake with whipped frosting/cream and strawberries in the middle! Delicious!
Christmas is also 1-2 days after The Emperor's birthday (a state holiday in Japan).
"Merīkurisumasu" is a common way that folks wish each other a Merry Christmas in Japan.
Happy Holidays to my followers, and I hope you have a lovely Christmas meal and a good end of the year!!!