Christmas is celebrated in many ways around the world, but across cultures and continents food plays a central role in holiday festivities. Every country has special dishes that make the holidays unique. This article explores traditional Christmas foods from Ukraine, Portugal, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, China, and France, highlighting the flavors that define the region and their customs.

1. Ukraine

Kutia – a ceremonial grain dish that is usually prepared from boiled wheat and generously seasoned with honey, poppy seeds, nuts, and dried fruits.This dish is the most important dish at Christmas dinner for Ukrainians. Kutia is the first out of twelve dishes served for Christmas Eve supper. Everyone present eats a spoonful of kutia, after which the other dishes are brought out and eaten.

2. Portugal

Bacalhau – salted and dried cod that’s soaked to remove saltiness. It’s often served with boiled vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, and sometimes topped with a Portuguese olive oil and vinegar sauce. Even though cod is the most common dish for Portuguese Christmas Eve dinner, there are some regions where octopus is also served.

3. Italy

Tortellini in brodo – a traditional northern Italian food for Christmas. Meat or cheese is wrapped in fresh pasta to create sweet little bites of savory goodness. You then boil the tortellini and serve them in hot, fresh chicken broth. Tortellini in brodo is a must on every Emilia-Romagna family table for Christmas dinner and often served on New Year’s Eve as well. Italians take their tortellini very seriously and, on December 7, 1974, the Italian Culinary Academy formally registered an official recipe for tortellini, which includes exactly how thin the pasta dough should be and the precise acceptable weight of each filled tortellino.

4. Mexico

Tamales – cornmeal dumplings with a variety of fillings inside. Although they are very delicious, they can be quite hard to prepare. Preparing tamales is actually a whole tradition in itself, with several family members taking part in the process and assisting in their preparation. The tradition of eating tamales on Christmas began when the Mexican population became Christianized and tamales became associated with special occasions.

5. Brazil

Chester – a large, boneless, oval-shaped chicken that is a main dish on Brazilian Christmas dinner tables. It’s a special variety of chicken that’s bred to have more breast and thigh meat than a regular chicken. This dish is often served with fresh salads, dried fruit, and cold potato salads mixed with apples and raisins. This dish is almost exclusively served during Christmas time in Brazil, considered a staple of the holiday meal and rarely eaten at other times of the year.

6. China

Peking Duck – roasted duck with crispy skin and tender meat. Peking duck has been prepared since the Imperial era and is considered a national dish of China. The dish is primarily restaurant fare because of its complicated preparation. Peking duck is a symbol of Chinese culture, history, and tradition. It’s often served at weddings because ducks are a symbol of fidelity in Chinese culture. The whole duck represents peace and completeness in marriage.

7. France

Foie Gras – a delicacy made from the livers of force-fed ducks or geese. Foie gras is a traditional part of French Christmas meals and is often served on New Year’s Eve, birthdays, and anniversaries. It’s considered a luxurious and special treat, typically reserved for festive occasions, like Christmas, due to its high quality and price.

Christmas food shows the special traditions of each country. From Ukraine’s kutia to Mexico’s tamales, these dishes make the season feel warm and joyful. They remind us that food brings people together, no matter where they live.

Work Cited:

• Osei, A., & Osei, A. (2023, December 12). Traditional Christmas foods from around the world – International Students House. International Students House – You Belong Here. https://www.ish.org.uk/traditional-christmas-foods-from-around-the-world/
• Day, P. F. A. (2024, October 24). Portuguese Christmas food | Portuguese for a day tour. Portuguese for a Day.
  https://www.portugueseforadaytours.com/portuguese-christmas-food/
• Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 20). Kutia. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutia#/media/File:Kutya.jpg
• Audrey, & Audrey. (2024, November 26). A traditional French Christmas menu. Pardon Your French. https://www.pardonyourfrench.com/a-traditional-french-christmas-menu/