This is how Europe eats at Christmas

Sweden: Julbord

Julbord is traditional in Sweden at Christmas. This is a hearty buffet of cold and hot meat and fish dishes. The banquet also likes to start before the holidays, for example at corporate parties at the end of the year. Julbord has the popular Köttbullar (meatballs), reindeer sausage with garlic and Christmas seasoning, pickled herring, salmon with dill, and one thing in particular: cooked Jul ham. Here, every chef takes pride in their secret spice blend. It comes with ham, boiled potatoes, cheese, boiled eggs and salads. Rice pudding or homemade pastries complete the Julbord.

Fly: According to a Swedish tradition, Lussekatter, a saffron fluffy pastry, S-shaped and garnished with raisins, is eaten at the Lucia festival on 13 December. You should definitely see the parade on the magical Luciannacht.

Italy: Panettone

With Italian cake panettone, the palate experiences the essence of Italian Christmas. When it comes to a Christmas dessert, you can’t go wrong with this classic. Panettone is especially popular in Milan but also in Ticino. It is made from fluffy yeast dough with berries, raisins, pine nuts, lemon and anise. Finally, it is baked in the oven until golden brown.

Fly: The perfect drink with Panettone is a light sparkling wine. A sweet Moscato that matures further as a spumante is especially popular with Italians.

Spain: Turron

Turron is a decadent sweet dessert originally from Spain. The delicious nougat clearly highlights the country’s culinary extravagance. This Spanish treat has been warming hearts for centuries. The main ingredients are almonds, egg whites, honey and sugar. White nougat is one of the most popular Spanish holiday traditions and is currently common in Southern Europe.

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

Great Britain: Meat Pie

Christmas mince pie in Great Britain has little to do with real mince (English: minced meat). Because there is no trace of meat in these sweet pies. Instead, mince pies are baked with dried fruits and nuts. Dating back to the 13th century, mince pies are synonymous with Christmas in Britain. Crusaders from the Middle East at that time brought the recipe for spice cakes that still contain meat at that time.

Fly: If you really want to enjoy Christmas in English, you can have mince pie and a creamy Eggnogg made from eggs, milk, cream and whiskey.

Germany: Goose and Stollen

A typical German Christmas meal is goose with red cabbage and potatoes or bread dumplings. For dessert, there is the icing sugar Christmas dessert. It consists of flat, rectangular dough, nuts, sugar, spices and dried or candied fruit. Marzipan or poppy seeds are also often added. Because it tastes so delicious, stollen is now snacked all over Europe – even outside of the Christmas season – alongside a famous dessert or coffee.

Hungary: goulash

Spicy goulash stew is very popular all over Europe – and not just at Christmas time. It warms up nicely on cold days, especially with a bit of Hungarian obscenity. The must-haves are based on a traditional Hungarian recipe: onions, paprika, and beef. Bacon, paprika and potatoes are usually included. By the way, Hungarians like to eat goulash all year round, but some prefer fish soup or jelly at Christmas. The Central European goulash trend emerged after the so-called Hungarian army stayed in Vienna in the early 19th century. The stew was prepared in a field kitchen (also: goulash ball).

Switzerland: Fondue Chinoise

Fondue Bourguignon or Fondue Chinoise is of course particularly popular in Switzerland at Christmas! Each region celebrates its own choices. Fondue Chinoise resembles a Chinese stew (hence the name). How about making a little change this year? In Switzerland, only meat is served with Fondue Chinoise. Various mushrooms and vegetables are also served in the Chinese original. Also very tasty!

France: turkey stuffed with chestnuts

There is an incredible amount of French holiday traditions. Sweet or savory, there is something for every taste at Christmas. With their passion for food, the French know how to prepare great meals during the festive season. This includes, for example, turkey stuffed with sweet and creamy chestnuts.