Holiday Food Traditions Around the Globe

There are so many holiday food traditions enjoyed by those around the world. This week, we take a look at a handful of special ways that different cultures celebrate the holiday season:

Germany– Marzipan is a sweet treat that has been enjoyed for years during the holiday season by those in Germany. Commonly referred to as candy potatoes, marzipan is not only delightful, but also so easy to make!
Not to mention, we have the Germans to thank for the ever-popular advent calendars we see around this time of year. 

Italy – It is common on Christmas Eve for Italians to ditch meat and instead serve a bounty of fish, also known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Eel is oftentimes served during the holiday meal as it is a common catch off of the Amalfi coast during the winter season. 

Japan– Japan has practiced a long standing tradition of indulging on soba noodles every New Years Eve. Toshikoshi Soba, which translates to “New Year’s Eve Noodles” are meant to be slurped while reflecting and transitioning from one year into another. 

The South– Also as a way to ring in the New Year, it is common for those in the South to serve up some black-eyed peas and collard greens. Greens represent paper money while the beans are symbolic for coins. This comfort food must be eaten on New Year’s Day for optimum luck the rest of the year. 

Scandinavia– Sweden and Norway have a love for Cardamom as they consume anywhere from 18 to 30 times more of the spice per capita each year. With Cardamom being such a staple in their spice racks, it is common during the holiday season to see it featured in their dishes, especially their baked goods. Their Fyrstekake (a Cardamom-Almond tart) is the perfect Scandinavian holiday food.  

We at Etta+ Billie love cardamom as well! Our favorite spice is offered in our Grapefruit Cardamom line or our special edition holiday Ritual Coffee + Cardamom Soap!

Image by: Cafe Johnsonia