Christmas is a magical time, a special occasion to gather with family, give gifts and of course sit around the table to share food and traditions. In Denmark as well as in Italy, the Christmas period is characterized by festive gatherings, where food plays the main role. While the Julefrokosten captures the Danish Christmas spirit, the Italian Christmas Eve and Christmas lunch are the heart of the festivities with a wide range of dishes and desserts that reflect the country's regional diversity.
Christmas Lunch: The Taste of Christmas in Denmark
In Denmark, Christmas lunch is a tradition that brings friends, colleagues and families together around the table. These lunches, which begin several weeks before Christmas, are a real event: dishes such as marinated herring, meatballs, roast pork and cheeses are accompanied by copious amounts of beer and schnapps.
The highlight of Danish Christmas celebrations, however, takes place on Christmas Eve, when families gather for a traditional dinner and the long-awaited exchange of gifts. Among the desserts, risalamande stands out, a rice dessert with almonds and cherry sauce.
Italy and Christmas: different traditions, unique flavors
In Italy, Christmas is synonymous with abundance and variety, with traditions changing from region to region. The highlight of the festivities is shared between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself, each with its own culinary specialties.
Christmas Eve: The wealth of the sea on the table
Christmas dinner, especially in southern Italy, is known for the so-called "lean Christmas Eve", a tradition that features fish dishes and avoids meat. This custom has roots in Christian symbolism, but over the years has evolved into a true gastronomic celebration.
- Starters: salads with octopus, shrimp and mussels, marinated anchovies, fish carpaccio and oysters.
- Main courses: spaghetti with vongole in Southern Italy, pasta with sea urchin in Sicily or risotto with seafood.
- Fish dishes: fried or braised cod, grilled or fried eel, stuffed squid and deep-fried fish.
- Desserts: next to the Neapolitan struffoli and roccocò we find the Apulian cartellate , crispy wreaths of fried dough dipped in grape syrup or honey, which with their shape are reminiscent of angels' crowns.
Christmas Day: The Richness of Tradition
Christmas Day in Italy is all about meat and heartier dishes as a symbol of abundance. In Northern Italy, a classic dish is capon bouillon, often with tortellini or ravioli. In Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy, bollito misto is an institution, served with sauces such as mostarda or bagnet verd . In Central and Southern Italy, there are lasagna, baked pasta dishes, roasts and pies.
But the real stars of Christmas Day are panettone and pandoro .
Panettone and Pandoro: A Sweet Rivalry
Christmas in Italy wouldn't be the same without the debate over which of the two iconic Christmas cakes is the best. Panettone, originally from Milan, is a soft, leavened cake with raisins and candied fruit. With its recognizable shape and classic taste, it is the king of the Christmas tables in Northern Italy.
Pandoro, on the other hand, originates from Verona and is known for its star shape and buttery texture. Without candied fruit but rich in flavor, it is often sprinkled with powdered sugar. Perfect for those who love simple but sumptuous sweets.
Italians are divided into two camps: those who love panettone for its classic flavor and airy texture, and those who swear by pandoro for its softness and sweetness. Whichever you choose, both represent the best Christmas tradition in Italian baking.
Conclusion: The Christmas spirit at the table
While Christmas lunch in Denmark is a festive prelude to Christmas Eve, Christmas in Italy is a culinary journey that embraces traditions and flavors from across the country. From the fish on Christmas Eve to the abundance of meat and dessert on Christmas Day, each dish tells a story of family, country and love of food.
For Italians in Denmark, Christmas can be an opportunity to unite the two cultures: start with a marinated herring and finish with a piece of panettone or pandoro. Because ultimately, the true spirit of Christmas is about the joy of sitting together at the table.
Buon appetito, buon Natale e Merry Christmas!
