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Christmas Dishes From Around The World

Author Damien Wilde
Posted On 22nd December 2015

Christmas Table

Christmas is just around the corner and in a break with custom; our household is going with the three-bird roast this year. However, just to please the purists amongst our ranks, we have ensured that there will be turkey on the table come the 25th.

Not that those purists have a leg to stand on: Long before turkey became synonymous with our Christmas dinners, other birds such geese, capons and pheasants were the go-to bird of choice, though the rich often dined on peacocks and swans.

Alongside the roast centrepiece, we, as a nation, like to serve up pigs in blankets, a spoonful of roast potatoes and an array of vegetables. Some people even opt for a few Brussels sprouts…

But, what is the traditional Christmas meal away from the United Kingdom?

Australia

Our Australian brethren have a reputation for making the most of the southern hemisphere’s warm weather. Instead of slaving away inside it is typical to see people gather around the barbecue and serving up a plethora of turkey, chicken and seafood, such as prawn, lobster and crayfish.

A white Christmas is a common dessert. This is not a pudding made of snow, but a type of fruitcake made with raisins, coconut, icing sugar and glace cherries. Pavlovas and trifles are also popular.

Chile

Again, we find that turkey is a popular meat of choice at Christmas. However, what we are most interested in is Cola de mono, an age-old tipple of choice that is ever-present in many a household during the festive period.

Literally translated into English as Monkey’s Tail, there is some debate as to how the drink picked up its rather unusual name. The most widely accepted theory involves the former Chilean President Pedro Montt. Nicknamed Monkey Montt, the story goes that the guests at a party he was attending decided to create their own alcoholic beverage by mixing together milk, coffee, sugar, and aguardiente.

Czech Republic

The traditional meal of choice in the Czech Republic is carp and a side of homemade potato salad.

There is also a fondness for Vanocni rybi polevka, a soup made with fish (read carp) head, bones, spices and vegetables. It apparently goes exceedingly well with a glass of white wine.

Finland

Finland is home to the famous Joulupoyta (Yule Table). This banquet is reserved only for Christmas and contains an array of stews, fish, potatoes, salads, sauces and beer. Central to the Joulupoyta spread is a large ham.

Ham used to a popular Christmas dinner in England and the practice of tucking into a prime piece of pork can be traced back to the Norse tradition of paying tribute to the god Freyr.

Japan

The Japanese go balmy for fried chicken on Christmas Day.

This writer could not quite believe it when stumbling across their cuisine of choice, but it is true: Japan has something of an obsession with fried chicken in December.

Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan (with a very small percentage of the population believed to be Christian that is to be expected) yet thanks to some very clever marketing, KFC has become the go-to place to grab a festive meal. In the 1970s, the American-based company launched their Kentucky for Christmas campaign and convinced people that they were the one true bringer of festive joy and seasonal goodwill.

You almost could not make it up.

Mexico

There is a huge amount of regional variation in Mexico, with some states preferring stuffed turkeys and other, coastal locations, opting for a seafood dish.

This geographical split is not confined to the main course. Those in the northwest start their Christmas with a bowl of Menudo, a traditional soup made with tripe, peppers, lime and onions. More appetising, perhaps, is a portion of Romeritos, a homely stew comprised of shrimp, cactus, seepweed and potato.

Portugal

Salted cod.

(Rather you than me, before you ask.)

United States

Turkey, gingerbread, potatoes, pie, prime ribs, pork, stuffing and plenty of pudding: Pretty much everything can be considered a Christmas dish – and no, we are not complaining!

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