Brazilian Holidays: 5 Popular Traditional Christmas Dishes in Brazil

The Christmas season is a well-loved holiday in Brazil, with the family gathering around the table and enjoying well-prepared dishes. The Latin American country prides itself on the traditional Christmas dishes shared by every Brazilian family.

In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, Christmas dishes are served and eaten at lunchtime on December 25. However, in Brazil, Christmas dishes are served late at night on Christmas Eve, with celebrations continuing throughout Christmas morning's early hours.

Brazilian Holidays: Traditional Christmas Dishes in Brazil

Another difference in the collection of traditional Christmas dishes in Brazil compared to Western countries is the main centerpiece of the meal. In the U.S. and other countries, turkey takes the main stage while a Chester is the more preferred traditional meat at Christmas in Brazil.

A Chester is a super-chicken that has been genetically modified to have more meat concentrated in the chest and back regions of the bird. It is usually served as a large oval-shaped package, free from bones, and ready to roast.

The Chester is served with a variety of salads and other cold dishes such as green salads, bowls of dried fruits, mixed nuts, and a selection of ham and cheese.

A cold potato salad is preferred in Brazil as compared to roast potatoes. Cold potato salad is mixed with chopped apples and raisins. Below are the other traditional Christmas dishes in Brazil.

Arroz Natalino

Arroz Natalino is considered to be the Christmas rice. People cannot call a meal a dinner if there is no rice in Brazil. The popular "Christmas Rice" is typically seasoned with carrots, raisin grapes, and cashew nuts. Every Brazilian family has their own take on Christmas Rice, which results in differing flavors one would not expect from a rice dish.

Farofa

Farofa is a baked dish with a key ingredient using toasted cassava flour. It has butter, onions, fried bananas, and meat like bacon, Brazilian sausages, or beef jerky. Farofa goes well with anything, whether fish, poultry, or meat. It is the usual replacement for the West's gravy. Cassava flour is a staple indigenous Brazilian diet that earned the reputation of being the "bread of the tropics."

Salpicao

The Brazilian Salpicao is a salad dish with many fruits, vegetables, pepper, and shredded meat of choice, usually a turkey. Many Brazilians grew up with salpicao, making it a popular dish. It has also been a part of family gatherings and special occasions.

The Spanish version traditionally has almonds, Manchego cheese, and a vinegar-based dressing. However, Brazilians have their own take on salpicao. Instead of vinegar-based dressing, they used mayonnaise.

Rabanada

Rabanada is known to be the Brazilian equivalent of French toast. Slices of bread are soaked in milk and wine, then dipped in egg, and fried. Once fried, you can prepare rabanada with sugar and cinnamon.

The German heritage has brought the origins of the Brazilian Christmas dessert with strudel to the cities, filled with marzipan and dried fruits. It was known to have originated in Portugal.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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