Culinary journey: This is what Europe eats at Christmas

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In Sweden, Julbord is traditionally served at Christmas. This is a hearty buffet of cold and hot meat and fish dishes. Feasts also often begin before the holidays; for example, at end-of-year company parties. Julbord features the popular Köttbullar (meatballs), reindeer sausage with garlic and Christmas spices, pickled herring, salmon with dill, and one thing best of all: baked Jul ham. Every chef here takes pride in his secret spice blend. Served with ham, jacket potatoes, cheese, boiled eggs and salads. Rice pudding or homemade pastries complete the Julbord.

Fly: According to a Swedish tradition, on December 13, people eat Lussekatter, a soft saffron pastry shaped like an S and decorated with raisins, for the Lucia Festival. You should definitely see the parade on the magical St. Lucia’s Night.

Your taste buds will experience the essence of Italian Christmas with the Italian cake Panettone. When it comes to Christmas dessert, you can’t go wrong with this classic. Panettone is especially popular in Milan but also in Ticino. It is made from loose yeast dough containing fruits, raisins, pine nuts, lemon and anise. Finally, it is baked in the oven until it turns golden brown.

Fly: The perfect drink to accompany Panettone is a light sparkling wine. Sweet Moscato, known as Spumante when ripe, is especially popular among Italians.

Turron is an extremely sweet dessert originally from Spain. Delicious nougat clearly highlights the country’s culinary extravagance. This Spanish treat has been warming hearts for centuries. The most important ingredients are almonds, egg whites, honey and sugar. White nougat is one of the most popular Spanish holiday traditions and has now spread throughout Southern Europe.

Fly: Turron comes in long, rectangular sticks and also makes a great gift. You can order it from the Swiss provider La Terreta in Bern, among others.

Christmas mince pie in Great Britain has little to do with actual mincemeat (German: mincemeat). Because there is no trace of meat in these sweet tarts. Instead, mince pies are cooked with dried fruits and nuts. Mince pies are synonymous with Christmas in England, with roots dating back to the 13th century. Crusaders from the Middle East at that time brought the recipe for spice cake, which actually contained meat.

Fly: If you want to enjoy Christmas in true British style, have a creamy Eggnogg made from eggs, milk, cream and whiskey with your mince pie.

A typical German Christmas meal is goose or bread dumplings with red cabbage and potatoes. For dessert, there’s sweet Christmas food garnished with powdered sugar. The flat, rectangular pastry consists of nuts, sugar, spices and dried or candied fruits. Almond paste or poppy seeds are also often added. Because it tastes so delicious, stollen is now a famous dessert or snack with coffee throughout Europe, even outside the Christmas season.

Spicy casserole goulash is very popular not only at Christmas time, but throughout Europe. It really warms you up on cold days, especially with a little Hungarian spice. According to the traditional Hungarian recipe, you must add onion, red pepper and beef. Bacon, red peppers, and potatoes are often included. By the way, Hungarians love to eat goulash all year round, so some people prefer fish soup or brawn at Christmas. The goulash trend in Central Europe allegedly emerged after the Hungarian army’s stay in Vienna in the early 19th century. The stew was prepared in a field kitchen (also: goulash ball).

Fondue Bourguignon or Fondue Chinoise is of course especially popular at Christmas in Switzerland! Each region celebrates its own preferences. Fondue Chinoise is reminiscent of Chinese hot pot (hence the name). How about something a little different this year? In Switzerland, only meat is served for Fondue Chinoise. In the Chinese original, various mushrooms and vegetables are also served to the table. Also very delicious!

There is an incredible amount of French holiday traditions. Whether sweet or savory, Christmas has something for every taste. With a passion for food, the French know how to prepare wonderful meals during the festive period. This includes, for example, turkey stuffed with sweet and creamy chestnuts.

Source : Blick