People traveling abroad this Christmas may not find their favorite holiday food on the menu.
That is because traditional holiday fare varies around the globe.
To see who’s eating what this weekend, the culinary website Chef’s Pencil created a map showing what it says are the most well-liked Christmas dishes around the globe.
Where turkey is the tradition
Travelers spending the vacation in the US, Canada, France, Ireland and the UK can expect turkey on the table this Christmas, in response to the map.
Those headed to parts of South America can too — the map shows turkey is a top Christmas food in Brazil, Chile and Peru.
Even so, each country has its own tackle how turkey is traditionally served, in response to Chef’s Pencil’s research.
“For instance, in Peru, roast turkey slices are served with a melange of creme fraiche, chicken broth, lime juice, jalapeno peppers, fresh cilantro and cayenne pepper,” the web site states. “In Chile, roast turkey is traditionally full of apples.”
But there may be one similarity: Roasted potatoes are served alongside turkey “nearly all over the place,” in response to Chef’s Pencil.
More countries eat pork
Pork dishes are much more popular than turkey, when it comes to the number of nations where each are served, Chef Pencil’s representative Salomea Restea told CNBC Travel.
Pork is the most well-liked traditional holiday dish in 23 countries, greater than the 17 that give attention to turkey, she said.
Suckling pig is the middle of the normal Christmas table in Spain and Cuba, while the Philippines feasts on roasted pork, in response to the map.
Filipina Marites Rheme Lopez Javier said “no person eats turkey” in her hometown of Bangar, La Union on the island of Luzon. As a substitute, families buy a live pig to cook at home, or a pre-roasted whole pig, called “lechon.”
“Lechon may be very expensive,” she said, adding that a pig that may feed as much as 50 people can cost greater than $300.
That is why “liempo,” or grilled pork belly, can be popular, she said. It could possibly feed 10 people for 300-500 pesos ($5-9), she said.
Roasted pork also dominates in Haiti, Switzerland and Slovenia, while ham is the favored dish in Jamaica and South Africa, in response to the map.
Julskinka, which translates to “Christmas ham,” is a chilly ham dish accented with mustard and breadcrumbs that’s eaten in Sweden, while crispy pork ribs, or ribbe, is served in Norway for the vacation.
In Mexico and other parts of Central America, pork is steamed and wrapped in corn husks to make tamales, in response to Chef’s Pencil.
But pork joint is one other holiday hit in Mexico too.
“In Mexico, a pork joint shall be covered with a generous layer of homemade adobo, a thick chili paste with vinegar or citrus juice, and enriched with the flavors of onions, garlic, cumin and oregano,” in response to the article.
Where other meats prevail
Duck dominates in Denmark, and goose in Belarus and Russia, in response to the map.
Yet chicken is the popular dish for celebrations in Malta and Uganda, it shows. Brazilians also eat Chester chickens, that are larger than average chickens but smaller than turkeys, in response to the Latest York Times.
Within the Netherlands, revelers grill a medley of meat and vegetables on the table at a festive meal often known as gourmetten. Â Â Â
Italians traditionally eat veal, while Rwandans grill each beef and goat for Christmas, the map shows.
Other countries prepare a mix of meats for the vacation. Bolivia, for instance, has a penchant for picana soup, which is commonly made with chicken, lamb and beef flavored with wine and beer.
Rice, fish and prawns
Stuffed cabbage rolls grace Christmas feasts across the Black Sea, in places like Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria, in response to the map.
It also shows residents of Nigeria and Ghana have a good time over jollof rice — a dish of long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions and spices.
Carp, a freshwater fish, is popular in Central and Eastern Europe, while saltwater cod tops holiday menus in Italy and Portugal, the map shows.
In a post about Christmas in Portugal, the travel website Portuguese for a Day states, “Christmas just isn’t Christmas without codfish on the table!”
Sydneysider Paula Williams said Australians feel the identical way — about prawns.
Crowds gather to purchase prawns before Christmas on the Sydney Fish Market, which experiences its busiest week of the yr before Christmas.
James D. Morgan | Getty Images News | Getty Images
“Prawns are pivotal for Aussies for Christmas,” she said. “People queue up on the fish markets for prawns. Lines are huge — they’re massive.”
Since Christmas marks the start of summer, Christmas in Australia is “all concerning the outdoors,” she said.
“It’s concerning the barbie, sitting within the sun and swimming,” she said. “It’s too bloody hot to eat turkey.”
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