“Travels Through Christmas”
by Jackson Stones
Through my work and holidays I have been lucky to have traveled to many countries. Some of these were during the Christmas period, so I thought of recalling some of those memories here. I remember some of the Christmas dinners, yet as I was writing this I noticed how many involved turkey. See how many turkey dinners you can find!
Belgium…Oven roasted pork or lamb or maybe even over a spit. This can be served with a salad and a spinach and cheese pie. For dessert Baklava.
Canada…Roast turkey, winter vegetables followed by either/and or Christmas pudding, or Pumpkin pie for dessert.
Denmark…Either pork, roast duck or even goose. This is served with red cabbage, beetroot, sweet and/or boiled potatoes, plus some cranberry sauce. For dessert a rice pudding with almonds and, the lucky recipient of the one and only whole almond, gets a marzipan pig.
France…Either roast goose, venison or turkey with chestnuts, plus oysters, foie gras and various cheeses . For dessert a chocolate log made of sponge cake.
Germany…Goose is popular as well as carp (fish) for dinner, plus various winter vegetables. For dessert they like to eat stollen, a sort of yeast fruit bread with white powdery icing on top.
Ireland…Spiced beef, cooked with spices then pressed, and/or turkey along with winter vegetables. For their dessert Christmas pudding and/or Christmas cake fruit filled cake with marzipan and white icing.
Malta…Roast chicken or turkey with winter vegetables and potatoes, Dessert is mostly Christmas pudding and mince pies.
New Zealand…It’s high summer down there at Christmas so, either an outside barbecue of venison/ham and fish with shrimp or, a sit down with roast lamb, or chicken plus potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas and also pumpkin. For dessert often meringues, pavlova or ice cream.
Spain…Different regions have slightly different foods, so e.g. in the north west they have seafood like lobster, small crabs and shellfish, baked bream (fish). Popular now is roast turkey stuffed with truffles, or ham plus various vegetables like bell peppers and asparagus. All with Cava, a sort of champagne. For dessert a selection of cakes.
UK…Roast turkey along with roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots and peas plus pigs in a blanket (chipolata sausages covered in bacon) stuffing served with turkey gravy, or a bread/cranberry sauce. For dessert Christmas pudding, mince pies and chocolates.
USA…It varies slightly with the regions, but mostly turkey, or ham with mash potatoes, a green bean salad and other available vegetables. For dessert, again many variations but steamed pudding, Cheesecake or trifle.
Once Upon a Spice 
Gorgeous holiday post Lana!! happy holidays dear friend!
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Thanks so much, Lynn! Happy Holidays to you & your lovely family! I would LOVE to see you!! We’ll need to work on this! Making your Mamul today…wish me luck!! 🙂
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Oh good luck! you will do well of course!!! yes someday….
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Thanks, Lynn! I’ll take lots of pics…I have something special planned that I think you may enjoy ♥
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oh can’t wait!!
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Beautiful! They all look so similar and yet so different. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!
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Thanks Marci! You’re so right! All so wonderful! Christmas & New Year Blessings to you too, my friend 🙂
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This was such a wonderful post Lana! nice to see different traditional Christmas meals:)
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Thank you, Freda! The world’s traditions are so vast & interesting! Wouldn’t you simply love sitting down with families within these countries & experiencing Christmas dinner with them at least once? 🙂
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That would be really interesting Lana 🙂
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It’s interesting to see what other countries make for the holidays! Thanks for sharing Lana! (I always serve a Beef Tenderloin – but I’m not the norm! LOL) 🙂 🙂
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Thanks, Linda! This was a fun post to research! Beef tenderloin?? What time shall I be at your house for dinner?;-) Love it!
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4 PM SHARP! (haha) 🙂 🙂
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haha! I’ll be there with bells on (don’t I wish!) You’re a gem, Linda! Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas to you as well Lana!! 🙂
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Very enjoyable post, Lana. Cheers to you & Jackson!
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Thanks so much, Miles! Same to you! Merry Christmas!
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What a blessing to have had the opportunity to experience all of these cultures and traditions, Thanks for sharing!
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So very true! Thanks so much for commenting! Merry Christmas!
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