Christmas 2024: 10 never-seen-before evergreen dishes from Goa for the Christmas feast

If you are planning a party or family get-together, preparations should be in full swing. My family celebrates this festival with great enthusiasm every year. So we know all too well the busy days and concentrated efforts that preceded it! I enjoy this season: from decorations and sweets to carol singing and midnight mass. But I admit that food and drinks are what I look forward to the most. As always, one of the most common concerns is: What dishes should we serve our guests? This question really requires a lot of thought.

Also read: 5 Unique Chicken Finger Foods for Your Christmas Party Feast

For all the non-Goans planning a Christmas party, why don’t you bring some traditional flavor to your feast? We’ve listed 10 all-time favorite Goan dishes (savory and sweet) that will definitely impress. If your guests are non-vegetarian, we especially recommend giving a Goan touch to your celebrations. And don’t forget to keep some port wine on hand!

Here are 10 delicious and easy Goan dishes for Christmas 2024:

1. Chicken Croquettes

_{Goan Cuisine: Goan Croquettes are a must try. Photo Credit: iStock}

If you want a Goan appetizer, you can’t go wrong with croquettes. These deep-fried snacks are almost always served at gatherings of Goan Catholics. Spicy, juicy and crispy, croquettes don’t take a lot of time or energy to make. Just make sure you mix them with ketchup, flavored mayo or any other dip. Click here for detailed recipe. Pro Tip: You can also add croquettes, shredded lettuce, onions/bell peppers and sauce inside the hot dog roll to make an even more delicious party starter.

Also read: Potato Cheese Croquettes: A Tasty Breakfast to Beat Your Mid-Week Blues

2. Rava Fried Fish

Goan fish fry includes a variety of dishes. If you want something quick and simple, we recommend rava fried fish using kingfish, surmai or any other fish of your choice. It is a delicious dish that is a staple in many households. Read the full recipe here.

3. Vindaloo

Goans love a specific type of spice and aroma. This is best reflected in the curries they enjoy. Vindaloo is a timeless classic that you should try. This delicious main dish is best paired with rice or poi (for an authentic Goan experience). You can also choose to serve it with chapatti or pav/other types of bread. Here are our recipes for Vindaloo featuring potatoes, chicken, mutton or pork.

4. Sorpotel

_{Goan Cuisine: Sorpotel is a fiery dish that usually contains pork. Photo Credit: iStock}

If you like pork, you should try sorpotel. This dish has strong Portuguese roots and is traditionally prepared in areas outside Goa as well. The vinegar gives it a spiciness that is reminiscent of pickles. Sorpotel is spicy, tangy and undeniably satisfying. Click here for step-by-step recipe.

5. Shrimp Curry

How can we talk about a Goan feast without prawns? You can’t go wrong with Goan Shrimp Curry. Containing coconut milk, it has a smooth texture and unique taste that will make your meal memorable. Get the step-by-step recipe here.

6. Chicken Careal

Tired of all the red curry? Then choose Cafreal’s green goodness. The base of this dish is a combination of coriander and various spices. It can be cooked as a semi-dry dish or gravy. Either way, you will fall in love with its amazing taste. Watch its recipe video here.

7. Sorak

If you need a vegetarian option on your menu, we highly recommend Sorek. Let me tell you, just because it doesn’t contain meat or fish doesn’t mean it’s any less delicious. It has all the strength of other curries. Sorok is also a wonderful example of a dish that tastes much better the next day! Get the full recipe here. Pro-Tip: Instead of making both sorak and fish curry, you can choose to prepare only the first and serve the fried fish on the side.

8. Bebinka

_{Goa Recipe: Bebinka is a flaky dessert you must eat on Christmas 2024. Photo Credit: iStock}

Your Christmas table should be decorated with lots of sweets and desserts. While Goans love plum cake, a more typical option is bebinaka. This layered dish is made using eggs, sugar and coconut milk. Bebinka can be enjoyed as is, or slightly warmed and enjoyed with ice cream. See the full recipe here.

9.Bolinhas

Enjoy the taste of Goa by making traditional sweets that go beyond a single meal on the dinner table, that can be enjoyed for days. Bolinha is a dish that will be instantly loved by children as well as adults. It is a crunchy cookie-like treat usually flavored with coconut and cardamom. Learn how to prepare it here.

10. Pinaka

_{Goa Recipe: Make Traditional Pinaka for Christmas 2024. Photo Courtesy: Toshita Sahni}

Pinaka or pinagra is a traditional Goan sweet made using steamed red rice, palm jaggery and coconut. It is healthy and heartwarming. Its dark brown color makes it distinct, as does its slightly gritty texture. To know its wonders you will have to taste it yourself. Here is the full recipe.

Which of these recipes sounds most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas 2024!