The world is an amalgamation of different cultures and foods. From preparation methods to etiquettes, it’s so diverse when it comes to food and cultures. Festivals such as Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year, Diwali are so popular globally. Food traditions are a beautiful way of understanding people and their place of origin. Today, we’ll take a tour across the globe to relish holiday foods. Virtually, of course!
The Trickster: Coal Candy, Italy
La Befana is celebrated on January 6 in Italy. The celebrations are Christmas-like. But, here’s a big surprise. Italians prepare candy that resembles coal and relish it with great delight on this occasion. The candy draws its roots to the Italian folklore, La Befana, where Befana, a witch, distributes coal candies to naughty kids.
Hanukkah Festivities: Sufganiyot and Latkes, Israel
The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is celebrated by preparing Sufganiyot and Latkes in Israel. These symbolize oil that lasted in the Jewish temple for eight days instead of one. Sufganiyot is a yummy jelly-stuffed doughnut, whereas Latke is a fried potato pancake. Hanukkah and its food tradition have been preserved for centuries.
A Christmas Tradition: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Japan
It is a tradition that reached Japan through KFC’s marketing campaign where the party barrels were first introduced. Christmas is regarded as a holiday in Japan, which hosts less than 1% of the Christian population. Interesting, isn’t it? It’s a tale of marketing and corporate promotion that turned into a merry food tradition.
Christmas Smorgasbord, Lithuania
While Christmas festivities bring in pomp and happiness in the lives of Lithuanian people, Christmas Smorgasbord never disappoints them.
Containing 12 dishes, Christmas Smorgasbord is a delectable meal in Lithuania. Soup, sauerkraut, pudding, and baked potatoes are some of the dishes included in it.
The Dish of Winter Solstice: Tangyuan, China
Culture binds the Chinese together. Tangyuan, a Chinese delicacy made with rice flour and water, signifies family cohesion. This cultural specialty marks winter Solstice. Tangyuan can be sweet or savory, depending on your style of cooking. It is considered to be the most popular and loved festival food.
The Beloved of Canada Day Celebrations: Poutine and Butter Tarts, Canada
Signature dishes that are served on Canada Day include Poutine and Butter Tarts. Poutine is a beautiful blend of fries, cheese curds, and gravy that’s super tasty. Butter tarts are tiny and delicious. They contain butter, eggs, sugar, and some other delicious ingredients. It’s a pastry tart that’s an important part of Canadian cuisine and, ultimately, Canada Day Celebrations.
Lord Ganesha’s Delight: Modak, India
India hosts a majority of the Hindu population that celebrates the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. Modaks are a sweet, coconut-stuffed delicacy lovingly offered to the Lord. It’s heartwarming and delicious holiday food. In the Konkan region, Ukadiche Modak i.e., Modak prepared with steamed rice flour, is a popular offering to the Lord. The variants may include fried as well as steamed varieties.
A Meaty Feast on National Day: Qabuli Pulao, Afghanistan
Usually prepared with lamb or beef, Kabuli Palaw or Kabuli Pulao is a rice dish garnished with love in Afghanistan. It’s truly a meaty feast and an eye-pleaser. National Day celebrations come alive with steaming rice plates of Palaw. It’s flavourful, slow-cooked, and authentic cuisine native to Afghanistan, Tajikistan amongst others.
La Noche de Rábanos: Buñuelos, México
On the Night of Radishes, known as La Noche de Rábanos, Buñuelos are served with a syrup, piloncillo in Mexican cuisine. It is a traditional Mexican dessert that’s deep-fried and relished with delight during holidays. This event takes place on December 23 every year. It’s a festival of carving radishes and a gathering of artists across the nation.
Holiday food traditions and interesting festivals like these are what truly keep us alive. Culture forms an identity, and food shapes our way of living. Maybe that’s why we never give up traditional foods even if we migrate to different nations or continents.
Which festive food item/food tradition are you fond of? Please share it with us. We’d love to read your comments.
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