By Noah Shifter, Staff Writer
This holiday season, many different cultures celebrate unique holidays that include some delicious food! Although they may be obscured by mainstream holidays like Christmas, people also celebrate St. Lucia’s
Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Las Posadas.
St. Lucia’s Day
Many Swedish Christians celebrate St. Lucia’s day on Dec. 13 with traditional Swedish breakfast dish called
Lussekatter. The oldest daughter of the family, who represents St. Lucia—the patron saint of light—usually carries them into the room. Lussekatter are S-shaped buns made with saffron threads and golden raisins. The deep flavor of the saffron perfectly complements the light and fluffy bun.
Within the curls of the “S” lie the golden raisins, which add a pop of sweet flavor to the Lussekatter.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the week-long Jewish festival of lights from Dec. 10 to 18 commemorating
the rededication of the Second Temple. Along with dreidels and menorahs, potato pancakes called Latkes add to the Hanukkah festivities. Latkes are shredded potatoes combined with eggs, flour, and salt to make a delicious paste. This paste is formed into circles and fried in an oiled pan. After five minutes, the browned pancake is ready to be served hot with fresh sour cream or with an optional spoon of applesauce as a sweet addition to the savory Latkes.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrating African culture that lasts from Dec. 26 until Jan. 1. You’ll likely find dishes like mac and cheese, fried okra and buttery rolls in holiday feasts. The mac and cheese, rolls and fried okra are southern comfort foods with rich savory flavors. A mouthwateringly cheesy sauce blankets the creamy mac and cheese, and the sweet rolls boast a syrupy glaze that represents the delight of celebrating with family. The okra pods, hugged by a crispy fried layer, crunch pleasantly in the mouth.
Las Posadas
Las Posadas is a Hispanic Catholic holiday from Dec. 16 to 24 celebrating the journey of Mary and Joseph before Jesus’ birth. Participants honor their ancient trip by recreating scenes of the road to Bethlehem and celebrating with a feast featuring dishes like tamales.
Tamales are a filling of your choice encased in corn flour coating, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. Whether they contain tender meat or piquant cheese with green chilis, tamales stand out because of their flavorful filling. The traditional Christmas ham can tragically cover up these mouthwatering foods, and it is important to actively seek them out.
Cultural diversity makes the season interesting and lively, and trying traditional dishes is a great way to experience the wide assortment of holidays that people celebrate all around the world.