The holiday season brings with it a rich history of culinary traditions from around the world. Each country celebrates in its own unique way and their special dishes, often linked to history and cultural significance, not only bring joy to the festive table but also tell stories of heritage and tradition. Whether it’s creamy eggnog from North America or honey-soaked melomakarona from Greece, these recipes perfectly reflect the diverse ways we celebrate and connect during this magical time of year.
Here are 5 delicious holiday foods from around the world that you can’t miss:
Bouche de Noel (France)
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Buche de Noël, also known as the Yule Log, is a favourite dessert in France during the Christmas season. This delicious cake is usually made from heavy cream, cocoa powder, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract. Often decorated with icing sugar and fruit, this cake celebrates the tradition of burning a specially chosen log known as the Yule Log, which was a pagan custom centuries ago. Buche de Noël is usually enjoyed between Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year (January 1) and is often decorated with meringue mushrooms to resemble a forest log.
Shuba (Russia)
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In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7 according to the Orthodox Julian calendar. Shuba, commonly known as “herring under a fur coat”, is a popular holiday dish made from pickled herring, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise and grated vegetables such as carrots, beets, potatoes and onions. The dish gets its name from its top layer, usually made of beets, which resembles a warm winter coat. The bright pink color of the beetroot layer gives shuba a distinctive look on any dinner table.
Also read: Christmas Around the World – 9 Popular Foods That Are Part of the Tradition
Eggnog (United States and Canada)
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Eggnog is a creamy holiday drink primarily enjoyed in the United States and Canada. Made from milk, cream, whipped egg whites, egg yolks, and sugar, it is a smooth-textured drink that many people mix with rum, bourbon, or brandy. Eggnog is a festive favorite, often served during the holidays.
Melomakarona (Greece)
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Christmas in Greece is celebrated with a variety of traditional foods, including melomakarona. These sweet, honey-soaked cookies with ground walnuts are eaten on Christmas Day after the traditional fasting period ends. Melomakarona symbolizes the joyous and abundant spirit of the holiday season in Greece.
Also read: Festive Tarts: Give a Delicious Recipe to Special Dishes This Holiday
Soba Noodles (Japan)
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In Japan, eating soba noodles on New Year’s Eve is a long-standing tradition that is believed to bring a long and prosperous life. Known as toshikoshi soba, the practice dates back to the 17th century. Soba noodles are typically served in a hot dashi broth with green onions, and some families may also add tempura or eggs to the dish. This simple but meaningful meal is a staple of Japanese New Year celebrations.
