Christmas dishes in Europe

2022. 12. 19.

The Spanish Christmas cake

In Spain, as in several European countries, food and customs differ from region to region. Even at Christmas. However, there are elements of the menu that are constant in all parts of the country. Such is the cake of kings. The roscón de reyes is a sweet cake filled with cream, reminiscent of a bundt cake, circular in shape. It is also flavored with candied fruits. You can watch how it is made here. We definitely recommend a flour sieve, an egg separator, and a good baking tray. It is important not to forget the candied fruit on top!

Such a spectacular delicacy is even worth baking as a gift.

Germany: knödel

In Germany, it is customary to eat knödel, i.e. buns with purple cabbage and hot dogs with potato salad, at Christmas. Of course, these dishes sometimes have different names (kloss, klösse for buns), and sometimes the method of preparation is also different. How do you roughly imagine a bun? 3 eggs, mineral water, onion, parsley and snidling are added to 30-50 dkg buns. In Austria, a lot of bacon and sausages are added. This dough is steamed in water. It is no coincidence that its name is similar to the Czech knedli.

Italy: Sicilian orange salad and panettone

Also in Italy, many delicacies are put on the table at Christmas. However, we would like to highlight a special salad. And this is the Sicilian orange salad, which is a typical Christmas dish in this Mediterranean region.

According to the basic recipe, you only need sweet oranges, marinated red onions, a little olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt, as well as black olives. But the recipe can be further thought out and combined. For example, chives, spring onions and red onions, as well as celery, can also be added to the salad. Parsley, fennel, and mint, as well as store-bought mixed salads, arugula, and bird salad, also enhance this divine salad.

And Panettone is the Christmas candy of the Italians. A kind of raisin cake, originally from Milan. It is usually prepared for Christmas and New Year. If you have a professional food processor, you can make this wonderful Christmas candy relatively easily.

The Swedish tomte porridge and Jansson's temptation

The Swedes' favorite Christmas food is Janssons frestelse, i.e. Jansson's  temptation. It is an oven-baked casserole. Potatoes, leeks, and anchovies are also among the layered ingredients. The top and the buttered baking dish itself are sprinkled with crumbs, which will give the dish a crunchy texture. There is also cream between each layer, thanks to which this casserole will not end up being dry.

It is interesting that while the Irish present beer to Santa Claus, the Scandinavians do it differently. They have Tomte, their Santa Claus, who is a small elf who works around the house. He goes from house to house, looks after the livestock, looks after the children, keeps things in order, watches the harvest. In return, however, he always expects a little porridge to be put out in the yard, which cannot be without butter and almonds. If you don't have porridge, or you get it without one of the important ingredients, you will take revenge.

English roast goose and Yorkshire pudding

In England, roast goose is considered a traditional Christmas meal, but nowadays this dish is often replaced by turkey. Yorkshire pudding is served alongside. This is a dough made of butter, flour, and eggs, which can be used as a salty or sweet side dish. 

We hope you liked this short summary, with which we would like to wish our customers a Merry Christmas.