Christmas celebrations around the world feature unique culinary traditions that reflect local cultures and histories.
Poland: Barszcz, a beetroot soup, is a staple served during Christmas Eve dinner, typically accompanied by 12 dishes symbolizing the apostles. It is often paired with uszka, small dumplings filled with mushrooms.
Philippines: Bibingka, a rice cake made with coconut milk and baked in clay pots lined with banana leaves, is traditionally enjoyed after midnight Mass. Variations often include toppings like cheese and salted eggs.
Norway: Pinnekjøtt, or lamb ribs, are traditionally smoked or dried and cooked over birch wood, served with mashed carrots and lingonberry jam, often enjoyed with a traditional Scandinavian spirit called akevitt.
Greece: Families feast on roasted lamb and christopsomo, a sweet bread adorned with a cross, filled with raisins and nuts, symbolizing centuries-old traditions.
Spain: In Catalonia, sopa de galets, a meat soup with large pasta shells, is a festive favorite, simmered with beef broth and various meats.
These dishes not only nourish but also connect families to their cultural heritage, making Christmas a time to celebrate through shared meals.