All Christian countries have their own Christmas traditions. Therefore, the dishes on the festive table have their own characteristic features. The use of certain products often depends on whether the family observes church canons or not.
Meat tables
Turkey is a traditional Christmas meal in the UK, with cranberry sauce imparting a rich flavor. Fried potatoes and vegetables are often served as a side dish. Also in many families it is customary to serve a pork leg decorated with cherries. For dessert on Christmas Eve, the British prefer to eat pudding with fruits, raisins, candied fruits and various nuts. Its peculiarity is its presentation. The pudding is poured over with a mixture of rum and liquor and set on fire. Hot ale is a favorite Christmas drink in the UK.
In France, turkey is also the main dish at Christmas, which is cooked with the addition of cream and cognac. In addition, on the festive table you can often see chestnuts, oysters, smoked salmon, goose liver pate, all kinds of cheese. The dessert is accompanied by the Christmas log pie-roll, and champagne and dry wine are served as drinks.
A Christmas table in Germany is not complete without a goose baked with apples and prunes. In addition, on Christmas Eve, the hostesses prepare 7-9 dishes, which include eggs, wheat, beans, caviar, which are a symbol of the birth of life. For dessert, the Germans prefer nut pie, and for drinks, traditional mulled wine.
The main dish on the Christmas table in Spain is the fried lamb. An alternative could be turkey or suckling pig. The Spanish favorite dessert at Christmas is turron, a sweet made from honey, egg whites and nuts.
The original Christmas table in Holland. Each guest in a small frying pan prepares his own dish from meat, vegetables, fish or shrimp. In addition, traditional European dishes are served: turkey, ham, rabbit or beef, as well as a variety of salads.
Lenten meals on Christmas Eve
The main dish on the Christmas table in the Czech Republic is fried carp with potato salad. Christmas cookies are distributed to all guests on Holy Eve.
In Poland, at Christmas, housewives prepare 12 meat-free dishes. Often on the festive table you can find borshchok with ears (beet broth with small dumplings), baked carp, gingerbread. In addition, Poles do not drink alcohol on this day.
Bulgaria also has its own unique Christmas traditions. In this country, there must be an odd number of lenten dishes on the table on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, stuffed peppers, beans, vegetable cabbage rolls, pumpkin puff pie and compote are served here.
The Christmas table in Lithuania is characterized by the presence of kutya, fish dishes, salads. Meat is allowed only the next day.
