Holiday Meal Must-Haves: All Around the World

We all know the drill by now: wake up, open presents, and then have a big family dinner consisting of turkey or ham, along with the traditional sides such as stuffing, potatoes, corn, and more. But that’s just in America — what are some treats that other countries indulge in over the holiday season? Fire and Ice on Toby Creek is here to share.

Traditional Holiday Treats

One of the most popular food items in Israel during the Hanukkah, or Chanukah, season is latkes, which are similar to potato pancakes. During the holiday, many of the foods that are consumed are cooked in oil as the holiday’s origin story tells of a time when there was only enough oil to burn for one night and it lasted eight.

In Italy, December 24th is not only Christmas Eve, but the night of The Vigil, a traditional meal consisting of various types of seafood. It is also sometimes referred to as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The night is filled with fish, seafood, and pasta, as many fast for the entire day and abstain from eating meat until Christmas Day.

A holiday treat that many in England look forward to are mince pies. In fact, they have been a Christmastime staple since their creation in the 13th century. Though they are filled with ‘mincemeat,’ there is no meat in these treats. Instead, they are filled with various dried fruits and spices, known as mincemeat; three common spices that are used are cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

In France, many indulge in a bûche de noël, which translates to “Yule Log” and is similar to the dessert that shares the same name. This chocolatey dessert is fashioned into the shape of a log and is often decorated to look as though it were a part of a forest. Inside of the log, there are swirls of vanilla cream or buttercream. This sweet dish is often eaten following a Christmas Eve dinner.

A popular Korean tradition is to enjoy a bowl of duk gook soup on New Year’s Day. The lightness of the soup is said to represent a fresh start and the “coins,” which are cakes made from rice, symbolize prosperity and wealth, something to hope for as you begin a new year.

In the Philippines, it isn’t Christmastime without lechon, or a whole roasted pig. One characteristic that sets lechon apart from other forms of cooking pork is that the entire pig is roasted until the skin creates a crispy and crunchy layer on top of the juicy meat.

Find Your Holiday Tradition at Fire and Ice on Toby Creek

No matter your family’s holiday traditions, Fire and Ice on Toby Creek is a great place to start a new tradition with those you love. With an incredible menu and a newly renovated outdoor deck, we promise you’ll be spending a lot more time with us in the new year. We look forward to serving you and your family!