Christmas is a time when cooking takes on a special meaning, and tables look like real gastronomic masterpieces. Find out more about the dishes that should be prepared on the festive table, because they will definitely impress with their variety and sophistication

Order Visit Ukraine branded merchandise and support Ukraine (24% discount until the end of December)

BUY

Christmas is a wonderful time when the aromas of spices and the sparkle of Christmas decorations fill the streets and houses, turning them into fairy-tale corners. At the same time, Christmas is a time for warm family gatherings with a full table of various delicacies and fun activities.

What do they cook for Christmas in different European countries? Let's take a closer look at the delicious dishes in this article.

Celebrating European style: what to cook for Christmas

Go on a culinary journey through Europe to discover the gifts of flavors that make holiday tables in different parts of the world special. For example, roast turkey is served in England, ham in Sweden, and roast goose in Germany. In many European countries, the festive table is traditionally enriched with hearty meat, and each recipe has its own unique feature.

Let's take a look at a selection of wonderful dishes for a gastronomic holiday that you will remember for a long time.

Fleskestay - Christmas pork from Denmark

Fleskestay is a Danish baked pork with a crispy crust, traditionally served on the Christmas table with braised red cabbage. The cabbage is cooked with wine vinegar and spices.

The perfect braised cabbage 

Do you want a delicious side dish to go with your flavorful roast pork or luxurious Christmas duck? Try the experience of Danish chefs and serve braised red cabbage with currants with the meat.

Braised red cabbage takes its rightful place on the festive table, and the Danes always serve it with flaky pork, accompanied by tender mashed potatoes.

The Danes recommend not replacing red or white currants with berries of another variety, as this will significantly change the taste of the cabbage.

A traditional Christmas dinner in Denmark ends with sweet rice porridge served at midnight. A single almond is added to the dish - according to legend, if it falls into the hands of a girl who is not yet married, she will get married next year. Everyone else receives a promise of happiness, but the one who gets the almond must hide it until the porridge is finished, otherwise happiness will escape him or her.

German Christmas goose with apples

Weihnachtsgans is a traditional German Christmas dish. It's a roast goose, usually stuffed with onions, prunes, chestnuts, apples, or dates. Sometimes it is stuffed with dough or meat, seasoned with salt, pepper, thyme, and marjoram.

After cooking, the goose is served with simple dishes such as dumplings or red cabbage. The tradition of this dish, according to legend, originates from the preparation of the Martyn goose on St. Martin's Day on November 11. 

Visit Ukraine has launched a New Year's marathon of discounts on products and special gifts. Find out more about how to buy insurance, tours and clothing with accessories at a bargain price, as well as get fuel for your car as a gift! Click here 🎁

Blackberry salad - a traditional Polish dish for New Year and Christmas

An essential dish at every Polish holiday from birthday to New Year's Eve. Blackberry salad has become an integral part of Polish culture and is incredibly tasty at the same time.

Ukrainians recognize olivier and fur coat, while Poles have their own unique recipe for the festive salad. The most interesting thing is that the main ingredients for jazynowa salata (also known as Polish salad or salad in Polish) are leftover vegetables used for vegetable broth. This is common in Polish families where nothing is thrown away.

Norwegian salmon salad

Norwegian salmon salad is a variation of the famous Caesar salad made from Norwegian salmon fillets. Its presentation is impressive - the salmon pieces are cut very large, which makes the salad incredibly bright. Twice as much fish is used as in the usual recipe, giving it a special taste and appearance.

Lohikeito - creamy Finnish fish soup

Lohikeitto is a rich and creamy Finnish soup, the main character of which is fresh salmon, to which other ingredients are gradually added.

This Finnish fish soup recipe is perfect for cold days when you can devote more time to cooking. Although this dish is typical of Finnish cuisine, it is so simple, delicate and tasty that not only Finns will enjoy it.

Lohikeito is widespread in Scandinavia, where salmon is considered one of the most popular fish. In addition to salmon, onions, potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers are used in this soup, giving it a special flavor and taste.

Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

And how can you do without desserts on the Christmas table!

Lussekatt - Christmas saffron buns from Sweden

Lussekatt buns are Swedish Christmas cakes that get their bright yellow color from the saffron added to the dough.

Traditionally, these buns are shaped like the Latin letter "S" and are always decorated with dark raisins. They are ideal for serving with coffee or glögg (a hot drink made from red wine with spices) according to Swedish tradition.

Christmas log from France

If you need an impressive dessert for your holiday table, Bûche de Noël, a French Christmas cake in the shape of a log, is a great choice. This is a delicate flourless chocolate roll with cream, decorated with powdered sugar, which resembles snow on a forest log. 

Getty Images

Panforte - a Christmas treat from Italy

Panforte is a traditional Christmas treat in Italy. It has the shape of a cake with lots of dried fruits and nuts, as well as spices such as cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Similar to kozinaki with nuts, panforte has a soft texture.

It is recommended to use classic dried fruits such as figs and dried apricots, but you can add whatever you like. The same goes for nuts and spices. If you want to add chocolate, this delicacy will become even more delicious.

We wish you a delicious and happy holiday!

We remind you! Winter and winter holidays are always associated with spending time with family. In Europe, Christmas and New Year are among the main holidays that people spend at home. Therefore, most retail outlets are closed during these days. Find out which days are the days off in shops and supermarkets in Europe this winter season.


Photo: Shutterstock

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - safe travel in Ukraine (insurance covering military risks);

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours - the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels - book hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch - choose patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

Cooperation - cooperation and advertising integrations with Visit Ukraine and Visit World projects.

© 2018-2023, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.