Holiday meals around the world:
Roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings (Canada) Roasted turkeys, often adorned with decorative paper “booties” on the drumsticks, are a staple main course at Christmas feasts in Canada. The stuffing typically features a mix of sausage meat, dried fruits like apricots, prunes, and raisins, along with nuts, onion, celery, salt, pepper, and a variety of spices and herbs.
Feast of the Seven Fishes (Italy) An Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition featuring seven seafood dishes, such as baccalà (salted cod), calamari, and clams, symbolizing the wait for the midnight birth of Jesus.
Feast of Seven Fishes KFC Christmas Dinner (Japan) A popular Christmas Eve meal in Japan, where families enjoy Kentucky Fried Chicken, a tradition that began in the 1970s due to a successful marketing campaign.
Tamales (Mexico) During the Christmas season, Mexican families prepare tamales—corn dough filled with meats, cheeses, or chilies, wrapped in corn husks—and often hold tamaladas (tamale-making parties) to share the joy.
Lechon (Philippines) A traditional Filipino dish, lechon is a whole roasted pig, often the centerpiece of Noche Buena, the Christmas Eve feast, symbolizing prosperity and community.
Longevity Noodles (China) During Lunar New Year celebrations, long noodles are served to symbolize a long life; it's customary to eat them without breaking the strands.
Mince Pies (England) Traditional Christmas pastries filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices, known as 'mincemeat,' enjoyed throughout the holiday season.
Bûche de Noël (France) Also known as a Yule log, this is a sponge cake rolled and decorated to resemble a log, traditionally served during Christmas.
Wigilia Dinner (Poland) A Christmas Eve meal featuring 12 meatless dishes, including beet soup, herring, pierogi, and carp, representing the 12 Apostles.
Cozonac (Romania) A sweet bread filled with nuts, poppy seeds, or Turkish delight, traditionally prepared for Christmas and New Year's celebrations.
Cozonac Latkes (Israel) Potato pancakes fried in oil, symbolizing the miracle of Hanukkah, and commonly served with sour cream or applesauce during the festival.
Julbord (Sweden) A traditional Christmas buffet that includes dishes like herring, gravlax, meatballs, ham, and lutfisk, enjoyed throughout December.
Churrasco (Brazil) A festive barbecue featuring various grilled meats, such as beef, pork, and chicken, often enjoyed during Christmas gatherings.
These diverse holiday meals highlight the rich culinary traditions celebrated across the globe
Ag for Life Kids Activity: Download our Holiday Feast Colouring Page to celebrate:
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