What do the Swiss eat for Christmas dinner?
Christmas is not only the festival of love, but it is also the festival of good food. It is no coincidence then that one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to join the gym. In addition to all delicacies that can be enjoyed at the Christmas markets, many countries also have a traditional Christmas meal. The English love their turkey and Christmas pudding on Christmas Day, whilst many families in America serve a Christmas ham with corn and beans. In Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic, fried Christmas carp and potato salad are often served. Potato salad with sausage is a popular Christmas Eve meal in Germany, followed by the traditional Christmas goose on Christmas Day. For Filipinos, roasted pork (lechon) is their Christmas highlight, whilst the Japanese often simply celebrate their Christmas by eating KFC in front of the TV. In Switzerland, on the other hand, there is no typical Christmas dinner, and each family has their own traditional meal. Furthermore, Christmas meals differ from region to region. In general, meat fondue, cheese fondue, raclette, pork shoulder and smoked ham are popular for Swiss Christmas dinner. Depending on the region, the following meals are traditionally served:
- German-speaking Switzerland: Old tradition of classic roast and potato salad
- Western Switzerland: Poultry, particularly turkey, which in French-speaking Switzerland symbolises wealth, abundance and community
- Italian-speaking Switzerland: Panettone as dessert
- Ticino: Poultry, traditionally capon, a castrated and fattened co*ckerel in mustard sauce and tortellini or ravioli in bouillon as a starter
- Canton of Aargau: Vol-au-vent with sweetbread
- Canton of Berne: Bernese platter with various meats, dried green beans, sauerkraut and potatoes.
The Swiss have various favourite Christmas foods, and Christmas cookies are definitely one of them.
