Traditional Christmas foods around the world

France

The famous Bûche de Noël or Yuletide Log, despite it being a dessert dish, is the main star on the Christmas table in France. Though there are many varying recipes, the most traditional and common logs are ones that are made with sponge cake and chocolate icing. Above all, it is the decoration of this delicacy which is the most important aspect. In other words, the more real the log appears, the better!

UK

The main Christmas meal in the United Kingdom is usually eaten in the afternoon of 25^th December. The dinner typically consists of turkey, pheasant, duck or goose, served with stuffing, gravy, pigs in blankets and cranberry sauce or redcurrant jelly. Dessert in the UK is particularly interesting, with Christmas pudding usually served- a pudding traditionally made with thirteen different ingredients, including many types of fruit and spices. It is sometimes finished with a splash of brandy which is then set alight for dramatic effect. Other dessert dishes include minced pies and trifles.

USA

Similar to the UK, the American Christmas dinner is British in origin, and largely revolves around having mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, a main stuffed fowl dish with gravy on the side. Depending on where in America, there is a slight variance to the dishes served.

The Upper Midwest consists of dishes mainly from Scandinavian backgrounds, such as lutefisk or mashed turnip. In the Southern states, rice is often served instead of potatoes, and on the Gulf Coast, shrimp and other common seafood are more dominant.

Germany

In Germany, the primary Christmas dishes are a roast goose or roast carp, although suckling pig or duck may also be served. Typical side dishes include roast potatoes and various forms of cabbage such as kale, Brussels sprouts, and red cabbage. To learn more click here.