December is a wonderful time of year for celebrations that are both cultural and religious, filled with food, fellowship and joy. This year the traditional holidays that fall in December are Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Traditionally Christmas can have a varied menu of food items largely based on ancestry:
- Italians often celebrate with the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
- The French usually include the classic Coquilles St. Jacques, a seafood dish.
- Norwegians celebrate with risengrynsgret, a creamy rice pudding served hot with butter and cinnamon.
- Swedes typically have lutfisk, a white fish dish, and glögg, the spiced mulled wine drink for which they are famous.
- Latin American countries typically have spicy dishes and perhaps tamales.
Philippine families may serve ensaymada, a sweetbread. - The UK and Ireland are known for their Christmas pudding, filled with dried fruit and spices.
- Canadians celebrate with cookies like shortbread and gingerbread and tourtiere a savory, spiced French-Canadian meat pie.
Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration that according to its founder doesn’t replace Christmas, but celebrates the African and Caribbean origins of many. Fresh fruits and vegetables are served along with spicy dishes such as jollof rice, fried plantains and perhaps Jamaican jerk chicken.
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in Jewish homes where latkes (fried potato cakes), salmon and sweet noodle kugel are served.
Regardless of how each of us celebrates by cooking, sharing and feasting, remember the most important principle for our health is moderation. Enjoy the sweets and treats and higher calorie foods alongside salads, vegetables and fruits, and always remember to stick to your exercise routine during this time of year.
May you be abundantly blessed this December with family, friends and delicious foods.
