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7 Christmas dinners from around the world: which one would you prefer?

KFC has been a popular Christmas meal in Japan since the 1970s. Photo: Instagram

Christmas dinner is always a memorable event, regardless of where you are in the world. If you’re in need of some new recipes to spice up your holiday meal, or just want to see how other countries celebrate, read on.

1. Sweden

 

In Sweden, Christmas dinner is a dish best served … cold? The traditional meal includes a chilled or warm Christmas ham, which is first boiled and then glazed with a coating of mustard, eggs and bread crumbs. Side dishes include lutefisk, dried fish that’s been soaked in lye and then soaked again in water to remove the caustic mixture.

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2. Japan

 

A Japanese Christmas involves something surprising – fried chicken. In 1974, a KFC commercial promoted “Kentucky for Christmas.” Since then, Japanese people have been eating KFC as a traditional Christmas meal.

Because of popular demand, many families reserve their meal months in advance.

3. Germany

 

In Germany, a traditional Christmas meal includes a roast duck, goose or rabbit. The sides are usually hearty fare such as potatoes and cabbage dumplings. Taking centre stage for dessert is stollen, bread baked with candied fruits and nuts and dusted with powdered sugar that is reminiscent of a snow-covered landscape.

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4. Norway

 

In Norway, Christmas dinner typically involves roast pork, alongside potatoes and sauerkraut. Many places also offer smalahove, an entire sheep’s head that’s steamed, with the ears, eyes and brain intact.

5. Jamaica

 

A Jamaican Christmas meal includes sorrel, a fruit brew with a tart cranberry flavour. It’s often dressed up with some rum. Fruitcake, curried goat and stewed oxtail are other essential holiday components.

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6. Britain

 

In the UK, merrymakers dine on turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce – dishes that Americans associate more with Thanksgiving. They also make sure to include Christmas pudding, also known as plum pudding. The dish is doused with brandy and set on fire before serving. Tradition requires that a silver coin is baked inside, so that the lucky winner can uncover it – or break a tooth on it if he or she is unwary.

7. Italy

 
The various regions of Italy have many different traditional Christmas meals, but some of the most popular dishes include panettone , a fluffy cake with candied fruit, raisins and sometimes chocolate baked inside. Some regions celebrate Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which is a complex meal that incorporates seven different types of fish prepared seven different ways.

These holiday meals, with their enormous variety of ingredients, show that there truly is a different tradition for everyone.

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These holiday meals, with their variety of ingredients, show there is a different tradition for everyone