Christmas around the world – 9 popular foods that create traditions

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas. With the sudden rise of Christmas decorations, invitations to themed parties, cake-mixing ceremonies and even Christmas movies on OTT platforms – the festive atmosphere is at its peak. But like every other festival, Christmas is also deeply rooted in age-old traditions. This festival is celebrated every year on 25 December as the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ. Christian communities around the world celebrate this day with certain rituals that have been passed down through generations. And food is an intrinsic part of Christmas celebrations, with every country following its own traditions.

What are traditional Christmas dishes?

If you are looking for the answer to this then you are at the right place. Let’s take a look at what a Christmas feast looks like in different parts of the world. We’ve rounded up some popular searches Traditional Christmas Dishes Which are specific to (but not limited to) a particular region.

(Also Read: 17 Christmas Dinner Recipes You’ll Love)

Here are 9 traditional Christmas foods from around the world:

1. Plum Cake

Plum cake is a ubiquitous Christmas specialty, but you might find it interesting to know that it actually originated in England and remains a specialty even today during special occasions like Christmas. The cake is made from a mixture of dried fruits, nuts and some hot spices, which are soaked for several days in a spirit such as rum before being turned into a batter to form the cake. Make plum cake for Christmas with this recipe.

Plum cake is definitely included in Christmas celebrations.
Photo Credit: iStock

2. Stolen

Stollen is a sweet bread that makes it the centerpiece of Christmas spreads in Germany. It is a slightly dry bread, but the nuts, spices, rum, marzipan and the outer layer of candied fruit and powdered sugar make it a delicious dish. Stollen’s existence can be traced back to the 1400s and it is still one of the most popular German dishes.

3. Egg Shell

Eggnog is a festive-special drink commonly served during Christmas celebrations in the United States. This creamy drink made of milk, sugar, cream and eggs is served cold.

4. Irish Stew

In Ireland, you will always find this hot stew as part of Christmas celebrations. It is traditionally made with lamb meat and seasonal vegetables, but different regions have given it their own variations. Here is a traditional Irish stew recipe that you can try.

5. Panettone

Panettone is an Italian loaf made into a cylindrical log shape. It contains flavors of sultanas, candy peels and fruits and raisins. It looks like bread but has a mild foamy taste.

6. Leaf Bread

This wafer-thin bread is popular in Iceland for Christmas celebrations. It is made in big size so that everyone can tear it and eat it. To make it, the dough is rolled out thinly and then stuck with a patterned iron to decorate it. It is then deep fried to make nice, crispy bread

7. Plum Pudding

You can find this Christmas pudding in Ireland, UK during the holiday season. But traditional plum cake doesn’t actually contain plums. This recipe dates back to the pre-Victorian era when raisins were used in place of plums. Halwa is flavored with alcoholic beverages such as brandy as well as spices such as ginger, cloves and cinnamon.

Also read: Christmas Tree: 4 Unique Ways to Decorate Christmas Tree with Food

8. Gingerbread Cookies

Children’s favorite gingerbread cookies are biscuits shaped like a man. Reports suggest that gingerbread was actually invented by the Greeks who made it for important celebrations. Gingerbread crossed borders and was given the shape of a man in Europe to become the popular Christmas treat it is now. Make gingerbread cookies with this easy recipe.

Gingerbread cookies are popularly made for Christmas.
Photo Credit: iStock

9. Total Total

Anglo-Indian families in India introduced us to this traditional Christmas recipe. These inch-long dough curls are a fried snack made from semolina flour, milk, sugar and ghee (or butter) and glazed with thick sugar syrup.

It is these traditions that keep the festivals going with joy. For us, the best way to celebrate is by consuming traditional foods.