Holiday meals from around the world
For most, what Christmas is really about is getting together with family and friends enjoying food like at no other time of the year. While for many enthusiasts the over-indulgence is spread out across the season and can take in cakes, mince-pies chocolates and the rest, the Christmas Lunch is very much the main event.
An institution.
When you think of Christmas Dinner you probably think of turkey with all the trimmings. Of course this was not always the case, and around the world it still is not. In Britain turkey eating for Christmas only really took off last century, reflecting the increasing influence of American culture. Prior to the turkey’s ascendancy it was goose that was the king of the festive fowl. Going back to Tudor times boar or beef was frequently the main course.
In Nordic countries such as Finland ham has always been the quintessential Christmas mains. Fish dishes such as smoked salmon have also played a much larger traditional part than they have in Britain. Santa better watch out for his transportation when he visits Iceland – reindeer is very much on the menu in this Viking nation.
Central and Eastern European countries are likely to feature carp in the Christmas meal. In Germany this would likely be roasted. In the Czech Republic instead of being roasted the fish is typically fried, and served with potato salad. Rearing car in fish ponds became a mainstay of food production in the country during the Baroque era.
Carping on: a Czech man picks the festive fish.
Outside of Europe things get very different. In Australia of course December is high summer – so barbecues are often the order of the day. Shrimp are always popular. In Lebanon even Muslims tend to mark Christmas day with a feast – with middle Eastern favorites such as kebabs gracing tables.
A Japanese KFC advert
The most unusual Christmas day eating tradition must come from Japan. Not a country that has a long cultural history of celebrating Christmas, advertisers have had a large influence. In 1974 KFC launched an advertising campaign promoting their chicken and sides as the ideal Christmas meal – this was so successful that now branches of the franchise always have long queues outside on Christmas day despite requiring customers to phone their orders ahead.
