Travelling may not be an option this holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience different parts of the world. Enjoying food with loved ones is a staple of many holiday traditions throughout the year.
We’ve rounded up a list of recipes from various holiday celebrations around the globe. From different Christmas recipes, to dishes enjoyed at Hanukkah, the Chinese New Year and Ramadan – take a culinary trip around the globe this winter without leaving your kitchen.
Stollen
Christmas Stollen, or Christstollen is a famous holiday sweet bread from Germany, specifically the city of Dresden. This delicious treat has been around for nearly 700 years and is usually filled with nuts, raisins, spices and candied fruit. We found a healthy take on the Christmas classic that’s easy to make and full of healthy fats and fibre.
Recipe via Curiously Conscious
Latkes
Latkes are a staple dish at every Hanukkah celebration. Steeped in tradition, these crispy potato pancakes can be served at any point in your feast. Make sure you serve them hot!
Recipe via My Jewish Learning
Porkkanalaatiko
Though this Finnish dish may sound complicated, when you translate it to English it literally means “carrot box.” Made with a base of carrots and rice, it’s a common staple at Christmas feasts in Finland. If you’re looking for a healthier take on this comforting dish, omit the bread crumble toppings and substitute the white rice for brown as this blogger suggests.
Recipe via Cooking From Heart
Jollof rice
A staple at social gatherings across West Africa, this dish is made with rice, a tomato stew and seasoning. Depending on which part of Africa you’re in, the spices and seasonings will vary, with different countries claiming the superior Jollof recipe.
Recipe via Food52
Buddha’s delight
(Lo Han Jai, 罗汉斋)
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, it’s common to eat vegetarian food, or “jai” to welcome luck and prosperity. Buddha’s delight is a vegetable stew that is said to originally have 18 ingredients, and while those differ from household to household, dry ingredients stay the same because they symbolize good luck.
Recipe via Wok & Kin
Ramadan pidesi
Pidesi, or pide, is a delicious chewy flat bread enjoyed in Turkey during Ramadan that’s topped with sesame seeds and/or nigella seeds. Traditionally, the bread is only baked during the holy month of Ramadan. In Turkey it’s common to see huge lineups outside of bakeries as people wait for hot and fresh pide.
Recipe via Çitra’s Home Diary
Peruvian hot chocolate
Come Christmas time in Peru, it’s traditional to gather with friends and family around a big bowl of ‘Chocolatada Navideña’. Switch up your usual hot cocoa with this delicious thick, spicy drink.
Recipe via Eat at Our Table (click here for a vegan sweetened condensed milk recipe you can substitute the sweetened condensed milk with).
