What Do Different Countries Eat for Christmas Dinner and What Is the Most Unusual?
The festive season of Christmas is celebrated worldwide with different traditions and unique holiday feasts. From the classic roasted turkey in the UK to the exotic 12-course meal in Lithuania, each country has its own unique way of marking the occasion.
10 Countries and Their Christmas Dinner Delicacies
Australia
Here, the Christmas dinner is a summer barbecue! Reflecting the hottest time of the year Down Under, the dishes include grilled steak, sausages, shrimp, and chicken skewers. The menu is completed with sweet potatoes and salad, making it a memorable feast in the sun.
United Kingdom
Following the English cuisine tradition, a traditional Christmas in the UK often includes roasted turkey, and various accompaniments like mashed kale, carrots, and cranberry sauce. A common sight is also potatoes roasted with European radishes and a side of pickled vegetables.
France
The French add a touch of romance to their Christmas dinner. Savor cheese and cured meats, with duck and a hearty version of salted cabbage filled with minced meat. This meal is sure to delight food enthusiasts with its rich flavors and textures.
Russia
While New Year's Day (December 31) is the primary holiday in Russia, Russians still enjoy a grand feast during Christmas. A variety of pasta dishes are served, often stuffed with pork, cheese, tomatoes, and sausage, making for a hearty and festive meal.
Spain
In Spain, begin your feast with a chicken noodle soup featuring boiled eggs and mint. This is followed by a series of rich dishes such as ham, shrimp, beef brisket, and steak, often rolled with blue cheese. This rich array of flavors will keep you coming back for more.
United States of America
A classic American Christmas dinner includes a fresh salmon accompanied by mashed potatoes and vegetables. Popular desserts are apples, cherries, and pecans, topped with whipped cream. This is a sweet way to end a savory meal.
Japan
Interestingly, in Japan, KFC has become a festive tradition. It dates back to the 1970s, when a chicken onslaught campaign was a great success. Now, Japanese families reserve KFC several weeks before Christmas Eve to cater to the tradition.
Lithuania
In Lithuania, the feast is centered around a 12-course meal, one for every apostle. Meat is not permitted at this meal, and traditional dishes include fish, including grilled salmon and roasted pike. This unique tradition ensures a feast that is both celebratory and mindful of religious restrictions.
Denmark
Denmark, especially in more remote areas, offers a nomadic cuisine. Dishes like mattak (whale stomach) and kiviak (puffin wrapped in whale fat) are among the less desirable but very traditional choices. This meal reflects a rich cultural history and unique geography.
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, the Christmas dinner features meat cooked in banana leaves or steamed pork with chicken and cornflour. Cornmeal and other regional ingredients create an ethnic and delicious Christmas meal.
British Christmas Dinner Traditions and Uniqueness
One of the most anticipated dishes in a British Christmas is roast turkey. If not turkey, goose or beef is also served. Vegetables commonly include Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and parsnips. Traditionally, the turkey is stuffed with chestnut, forcemeat, or both, and accompanied by bread sauce, bacon rolls, and chipolatas, which are thin sausages wrapped in bacon. For dessert, a Christmas pudding and mince pies are served with rum or brandy butter and cream. Wine, either white, red, or sparkling, is often paired with the meal and it is traditionally served around 2 PM.
The Christmas Pudding: A Spectacular Tradition
The Christmas pudding is typically doused with brandy or rum and flambéed, creating a grand spectacle. This dish is best served as a flambé to lighten the atmosphere. For those who wish to avoid the burn, microwaving the brandy or rum for 15-20 seconds before pouring can significantly reduce the risk of a disastrous attempt. However, lighting it with a long match or lighter is still advised, with flames drawn across the room to enhance the visual appeal.
Concluding Thoughts: A Full Traditional Christmas
After such a hearty meal, many will still enjoy a Christmas cake for tea on Boxing Day (26th December). Traditional cakes include a fruit cake often decorated with marzipan, and a chocolate yule log, which can be a delightful alternative. These treats further sweeten the end of a grand feast.
The festive season of Christmas, celebrated with unique and diverse meals around the world, is a testament to the rich and varied global food culture. Each country marks the occasion with its traditional dishes and customs, making the holiday a truly international event.