As the holiday festivities grow closer and closer, us Aussies can look forward to a Christmas Day filled with seafood delicacies, fired up BBQs and fruit laden pavlovas (not forgetting a deliciously chilled beer on the side, of course!).
We’re renowned for our outdoor-inspired Christmas Dinners: they’re what our sun-filled December days are made for.
But what about Christmas Dinners from other corners of the globe?
Here at Winning Appliances, we’re lucky to work with brands from all around the world. And from Sweden to Italy, Germany to Switzerland, we thought we’d get to know a few of their own Christmas traditions.
Christmas in Sweden
(photo credit: Electrolux)
We spoke to our friends at Electrolux about a typical festive feast for the Swedes.
Much like most other Scandinavian countries, in Sweden Christmas is celebrated on the evening of December 24th. To honour the occasion, you can expect to find a Christmas ham as the centrepiece of the dining table, better known as “Julbord” to the locals. The uncooked ham is prepared from scratch, and includes a process of salting, boiling and finally baking with a coating of mustard and breadcrumbs.
Traditionally, this would be a part of three courses, starting off with a selection of cheeses, cold meats and gravlax. Next comes the Julbord, which will consist of the family’s favourite dishes including the Christmas ham, meatballs, Janssons frestelse (potato casserole with anchovies), pork sausages, pickled herring, breads and braised vegetables. For dessert a selection of Swedish pastries and baked goods will provide some sweet relief, including ginger cookies and Ostkaka (Swedish cheese cake).
(photo credit: Electrolux)
(photo credit: Electrolux)
To wash it down they will start off with lager beer, ice cold schnapps and glögg (mulled wine). As they move in to the main, Christmas beer or ale is the drink of choice, or a full-bodied red like Côtes du Rhône or Syra for those more inclined to a glass of wine. For dessert, an Austrian Beerensauslese (late harvest wine) or a Tokaji is the perfect accompaniment to their mouth-watering Swedish pastries… followed by more glögg of course!
(photo credit: Electrolux)
Christmas in Italy
(photo credit: Smeg)
Unsurprisingly, a Christmas feast in Italy is a very serious affair! The team at Smeg told us that for the Italians (whom live to eat!), both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebratory feast days.
As food cooked in Italian homes is not only regional, but differs home to home, there is not a set in stone direction the feasts take. However, in general a Christmas Eve dinner will often involve seafood whilst on Christmas Day pasta will always be served. Traditionally, In Emilia Romagna (where Smeg is based) tortellini en brodo is a popular centerpiece – homemade tortellini filled with pork and served in a light, yet richly flavoured, stock. Authentic tagliatelle Bolognese and cotechino (pork sausage lightly spiced with allspice, cinnamon and fennel) are also often part of a Christmas feast.
(photo credit: Smeg)
It isn’t uncommon for a minimum of four courses to be served on a non feast day, so at Christmas families tend to up that number. A typical feast menu in Emilia Romagna would include:
- Antipasto selection of prosciutto di Parma, olives, fresh figs and grissini
- Tortellini en brodo – pork and porcini mushroom filled pasta in broth
- Cotechino with braised lentils and artichokes
- Cheese – parmigiana reggiano, gorgonzola and taleggio
- Panettone with mascarpone and brandy sauce
Prosecco is a very popular accompaniment to the savoury courses whilst Moscato sits beautifully with Panettone and other sweets. Finally, it wouldn’t be an Italian meal without an espresso to conclude the meal!
Christmas in Germany
(photo credit: flickr.com)
Next the team at Miele gave us a sneak peak into the many tasty features of a German Christmas Dinner!
Like in Sweden, the Germans enjoy their festive get together on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Stollen will take pride of place as the focal point of the meal, whilst some delicious Glühwein (mulled wine) will toast the celebrations.
(photo credit: babble.com)
On average, a Christmas dinner in Germany can present you with up to six courses. The most popular addition to the feast is a potato salad, which will often accompany a simple meat dish. Guests may also be treated to a soup (ranging from vegetable to liver dumpling or beef), Christmas carp and a herring salad, made from herring fillets, red beets, pickles, onions, apples, potatoes and eggs and served with a slice of fresh bread or toast. A more addition to the food festivities includes fondue: a fondue meal can last for hours, making it a great way for friends and family to be brought together over a Christmas eve get together!
Christmas in Switzerland
(photo credit: buzzfeed.com)
But what about a Christmas in Switzerland? According to V-ZUG, the Christmas Eve celebrations are a very family oriented affair, with a delicious dinner followed by carols at the Christmas tree and the exchanging of gifts before hot chocolate and homemade doughnuts.
There is no single traditional Christmas dish: regional specialities tend to dominate on the day. However, you can be sure to find cheese and meets incorporated throughout the menu! Some typical examples include:
- Fondue, for example Brie, Roquefort and Wild Mushroom
- Chicken or turkey stuffed with bacon cheese and red pepper sauce
- Sausages
- Potatoes
- Brunsli (Swiss brownies)
Expect two main (and large!) courses when enjoying a Christmas in Switzerland. A main course and a dessert, there are numerous classic dishes including:
- Meat and poultry stuffed with chestnuts
- Potatoes
- Fondue
- Sausages
- Vegetables
- Pastete – a vol-au-vent pastry shell filled with a rich mixture of veal and mushrooms in a cream sauce
- Biscuits including Mailaenderli (butter cookies), Zimsterne (cinnamon stars), and Spitzbuben (jam cookies)
(photo credit: anneskitchen.co.uk)
Like the Germans, a hot glass of Glühwein will accompany the feast – cheers!
What are your festive feast traditions? Share your Christmas dinner snaps using #MyWinningChristmas and join our celebration!
