When it comes to the winter holidays, food traditions are an important part the celebrations in countries around the world, even if the foods are different from country to country. For some a festive meal wouldn’t be complete without fried chicken, fruit cake or salted cod. Depending on where you grew up, and where you live now, the seasonal delicacies that grace your table may be sweet, savoury, or a little bit of everything in-between.
Let’s take a look at different Christmas food traditions around the world.
1. England’s Christmas Pudding

Via The Independent
This famous dish has many names. Whether you call it figgy pudding, plum pudding, ‘pud’ or Christmas pudding, this dessert is a key Christmas tradition in England, Ireland and also some parts of the US. Despite its name, plum pudding doesn’t actually include plums. Pre-Victorian era, ‘plums’ referred to what we now call raisins, and because dried fruits are an important part of this pudding, it is how it earned its name.
2. Tamales Of Costa Rica

Via Insight Guides
In Costa Rica, making tamales is a Christmas tradition and every family has their own ‘secret’ recipe. The basis of Tomales is corn dough, wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk, and then steamed. Some are stuffed with pork, and some with beef or chicken. Other foods that may be a part of the filling are garlic, onion, potatoes, or raisins.
3. Latkes Of Israel

Via My Jewish Learning
Since the Middle Ages, latkes in some form or another have been an important part of Hanukkah tradition. Latkes are fried potato pancakes are cooked in oil. This recognizes that the Second Temple kept the Menorah burning with oil for eight days. Other dishes enjoyed as a part of this tradition include fried donuts and fritters. Hanukkah gelt, small chocolate coins, are given to children by relatives.
4. Germany’s Christmas Goose

Via Babble top
The German Christmas feast is historically centred around the Weihnachtsgans, the Christmas goose. A tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, eating goose was originally tied to St. Martin’s Day, but eventually became a part of the Christmas meal. Often stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions, and prunes, then spiced with mugwort and marjoram, the goose is served alongside red cabbage, dumplings, gravy and dry fruits.
5. Christmas Fried Chicken In Japan

In Japan, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year for Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC, a fast-food chain. Because about 3.6 million Japanese families eat KFC on Christmas Eve, they often need to reserve their meal up to two months in advance. During the 1970s, KFC put together a holiday party bucket and behind it, a brilliant marketing plan. At the time, Japan didn’t have many Christmas traditions. KFC filled that void by telling consumers “here is something that you should do on Christmas”. The trend caught on quickly.
6. Panettone Of Italy

Via Spurce Eats
Italy has numerous regional traditions when it comes to Christmas dinner. In some parts of Italy, they celebrate with The Feast of the Seven Fishes. This meal includes seven different fish prepared in seven different ways. More often than not, two of the featured items are baccala (salted cod) and calamari. In other areas, they eat roasted lamb, or poultry roasted or boiled and seasoned with sauce.
7. Cookies Of Poland

Via Irish Central
Another country with cookies on the menu when it comes to holiday season in Poland. Additionally there’s a special cookie- Kołaczki is a flaky, jelly-filled confection, with dough often made with sour cream or cream cheese. These fold-over style cookies come with a variety of fillings. If the standard apricot or raspberry doesn’t do it for you, you can also try poppyseed, nuts, or sweet cheese. They’re topped with confectioners sugar immediately before serving.
8. Sweden’s Saffron Buns

Via Electric Blue Shots
Saffron buns are sweet and often yellow in color (due to the saffron, of course!). They are shaped into an “S” and then baked into their final buttery form. They’re served to the family by the oldest daughter, by tradition, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying your hand at making them, and most importantly, enjoying the end product. Some food traditions have a deeper meaning than just its taste.
We certainly hope that you’ve enjoyed the article, For more related content read this – 8 Insanely Cool Christmas Gifts Ideas This Season