{"id":4831,"date":"2023-12-11T15:14:17","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T20:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ustoa.com\/blog\/?p=4831"},"modified":"2024-02-22T14:48:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T19:48:57","slug":"holiday-dishes-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ustoa.com\/blog\/holiday-dishes-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Unexpected Holiday Dishes Around the World<\/strong> – with recipes<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unexpected Holiday Dishes Around the World – with recipes<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By: Gina Bang, Director of Marketing, Avanti Destinations<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the best-loved parts of any holiday is the special food we celebrate with, both savory and sweet. Here, we present 12 holiday specialties \u2013 with links to recipes – from countries as diverse as Morocco, Japan, Peru, and Croatia. Interested in sampling them in their native lands? We have suggestions for where to go \u2013 usually beyond the capital city to make it even more authentic.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sponge Donuts (Morocco)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hanukkah is traditionally celebrated with deep fried foods to commemorate the miracle of one day\u2019s worth of oil lasting eight days. These fluffy ring donuts, \u201cSfenj\u201d (meaning sponge) have a crispy friend outer layer with a delicate, airy interior, and they are usually dusted with sugar or soaked in honey. Experience them in Casablanca, especially in Jewish communities during Hanukkah. Try this 100-year old family recipe.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lechon (the Philippines)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Christmas in the Philippines is a grand affair, with Lechon, a whole roasted pig, at the center of festivities. Try it in Cebu, the region known for its distinctive \u201ccebuchon\u201d stuffed with lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and basil. Using a boneless, pork-belly roll instead of a whole pig is easier for most cooks Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Honey Cookies (Greece)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Melomakarona” are eggless, dairy-free cookies, akin to baklava, enjoyed during the fasting period of Orthodox Christians. Thessaloniki is the ideal place to taste these honey and walnut delights. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tamales Criolles (Peru)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traditional Peruvian Tamales differ from Mexican tamales, using fresh white corn and banana leaves. Another Peruvian Christmas custom called \u201cChocolatadas\u201d is to distribute gifts and hot chocolate to less fortunate people in early December. Cuzco is the place to go. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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B\u00fbche de No\u00ebl (France, Belgium, Switzerland)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This Christmas dessert, symbolizing the Yule log, originated in France’s Brittany. Made with sponge cake, chocolate and heavy cream. Try it in Rennes, capital of Brittany, a city filled with medieval half-timbered houses or Lausanne, Switzerland. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mochi Soup (Japan)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Ozoni,” a New Year’s breakfast soup. Each family has their own special way of making it \u2013 with chicken, fish cakes, carrots, taro root, regional spices – but it always features mochi rice cakes. Try it in Kanazawa, known for its traditional districts. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fruitcake (Chile)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Pan de Pascua,” reminiscent of German stollen, is a Christmas staple, rich with spices, cherries, raisins, strong coffee and rum, brandy or pisco for a kick. Enjoy it in Chile\u2019s picturesque Lake District. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cabbage Rolls (Croatia)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Croatian “sarma” consists of meat-filled cabbage leaves, a winter comfort food best enjoyed in the gastronomic region of Istria. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rice Pudding (Sweden)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Risgrynsgr\u00f6t” is a Christmas Eve essential, often a breakfast item on Christmas Day. It comes with a fun tradition of hiding one almond for good luck. On Sweden\u2019s west coast, Gothenburg is a recommended destination for this treat. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Farofa (Brazil)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This crunchy side dish, made from cassava flour and flavorful additions such as bacon, onions, garlic, parsley and chives, is also commonly used as a stuffing for poultry. A great accompaniment for Brazilian Christmas barbecues. Salvador de Bahia offers an authentic cultural backdrop for this dish. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Feast of Seven Fishes (Italy)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This Southern Italian tradition involves a meatless Christmas Eve meal. It remains a much-loved custom among many Italian American families. Whether in Sorrento, Palermo, or Lecce, you’ll find various fish dishes to commemorate the occasion. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rice Cake Soup (South Korea)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Tteokguk,” a rice cake soup, is eaten during the lunar New Year, symbolizes purity and good fortune. Toppings for the soup can include beef or other meat, seafood, eggs, nori, and vegetables. Busan, known for its early sunrise, is the perfect place to enjoy this dish and welcome the new year. Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Each of these foods offers a taste of the world’s diverse cultures and festivities, inviting you to explore traditions through culinary delights. Whether you’re cooking at home or planning your next journey, these dishes deliver a connection to global celebrations. For a whole host of holiday recipes, check Avanti\u2019s holiday party e-cookbook: https:\/\/www.flipsnack.com\/779977E569B\/christmas-recipes-2022\/full-view.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About Avanti Destinations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1981, Avanti Destinations has been selling custom-crafted independent travel <\/strong>vacations in Europe, Asia, North Africa\/the Middle East, the South Pacific, and Central and South America. The Portland, Oregon-based wholesale tour operator offers a wide range of FIT components to travel advisors only<\/strong>, including air, rail, rental cars, hotels, sightseeing\/attractions, transfers and hard-to-find experiential travel options.  Avanti specializes in hand-picked, locally-owned hotels in both large and small cities and in connecting all the pieces of complex or multi-destination itineraries<\/strong>. The company also creates complete packages for custom groups of 15 or more passengers<\/strong>. For more information: https:\/\/book.avantidestinations.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Unexpected Holiday Dishes Around the World – with recipes By: Gina Bang, Director of Marketing, Avanti Destinations One of the best-loved parts of any holiday is the special food we celebrate with, both savory and sweet. Here, we present 12 holiday specialties \u2013 with links to recipes – from countries as diverse as Morocco, Japan, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,31,38],"tags":[101],"class_list":["post-4831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-morocco","category-peru","category-philippines","tag-food"],"yoast_head":"\nUnexpected Holiday Dishes Around the World - with recipes - USTOA Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the best-loved parts of any holiday is the special food we celebrate with, both savory and sweet. 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