Far-flung FeastsNot everyone struggles with a turkey the size of a small MPV on Christmas Day. We take a look at festive feasts from around the world. Decomposed seabird anyone?Belgium As with many other Europeans, Belgians have their main meal on Christmas Eve. The celebration starts with a drink and nibbles, followed by a starter, such as sea-food. The main course is stuffed turkey and dessert is 'la bûche de Noël' ('Christmas log') - cake made with cream. Czech Republic Traditionally a meal of fish soup, salads, eggs and carp is eaten on Christmas Eve. Take pity for the host, who must make sure that the number of people at the table is even. Woe betide the one without a partner - tradition says that they will be dead by the next Christmas! Finland Christmas Eve finds Fins eating rice porridge and plum fruit juice in the morning. In the evening, a traditional Christmas dinner is eaten, with 'casseroles' of macaroni, rutabaga, carrot and potato, with cooked ham or turkey. GermanyGermans prefer roast goose, with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, parsnip and pickles, which they eat on Christmas Eve. In southern Germany, game is more popular, such as venison and boar. GreenlandThe Christmas feast may include 'Little Auks' (seabirds that are like penguins), which are wrapped in sealskin and buried for months until decomposed. Mmmm … ItalyThe Italians love their food and Christmas lunch is no exception! The meal can run to seven courses, including antipasto, a small portion of pasta, roast meat, two salads, two sweet puddings followed by cheese, fruit, brandy and chocolates. Forklift truck anyone?! LatviaThe special Christmas meal consists of cooked brown peas with bacon, small pies, cabbage and sausage. NorwayNorwegians eat their Christmas meal on Christmas Eve. People in coastal areas eat cod, haddock and lutefisk. Inland, people feast on pork chops, Christmas meatloaf and special sausages. Portugal The Portuguese like to eat salted dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes at midnight on Christmas Eve. SwedenSwedes enjoy a 'smorgasbord' on Christmas Eve, including shellfish, pork, cooked and raw herring, caviar, cheeses and brown beans. Australia Since Christmas occurs during summertime, Christmas lunch is often a barbecue, with prawns, steak and chicken for the main course and ice cream or sorbet for desert. Instead of being trapped in a steamy kitchen, many families banquet on the beach. Bognor Regis anyone … ? Brazil Many Christmas customs are similar to those in the UK or USA - depending on how wealthy a family is. People with money eat chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork, fresh and dried fruits, often with beer. Poorer people will make do with chicken and rice. JamaicaTraditional Christmas dinner consists of rice, gungo, peas, chicken, ox tail and curried goat. USAChristmas lunch is often goose or turkey, with a variety of vegetables, squash, and pumpkin pie. Fascinating festive food facts!
Food facts courtesy of www.hungrymonster.com
|
