Christmas food is one of the most anticipated aspects of this special day. Family members all gather together and cook Turkey which is often regarded as a usual Christmas meal since 1650 after European colonization of North America. It was introduced to Europe by Sebastian Cabot on his return from the New World. The bird got its name after merchants from Turkey made it a popular dish. Prior to this Swan, Goose, Peacock or Boar were associated with the Christmas feast.

Places all over the world have their own way of celebrating Christmas by cooking local famous recipes. Usually from main courses to some wonderful desserts Christmas has everything to offer a complete balanced meal. To top it all a glass of red wine or champagnes fully cleanses ones palate and gives such a refreshing feeling. Here we have a look at the various food cuisines and favourite Christmas food items that are cooked and eaten all around the world. Most countries have their own favoutrites and these choices some times vary vastly from one country to another. Still at the end of the day they all celebrate the uniqueness and the wonderful goodness of this day with lots of love and camaraderie.

Here is a look at some of the very famous and favourite dishes that are savored all over the globe. There is a striking array of choices rights from sea food, to red meat, game, appetizers, main courses to desserts. Even the wine that are consumed have different recipes and many time s are homemade that involve techniques that have evolved over many years and generations.

A striking part of Christmas in Australia is that it falls during the summer season I this country. As a result of this, meats such as turkey and chicken are many times served cold while another popular option is barbequed meat that is huge favourtite among the Aussies as it less hot that roast or oven cooked items. Seafood also is devoured with equal relish and these include shrimps, prawns etc. When it comes to deserts Pavlova is loved which is a fruit atoped a baked meringue. Other usual confectionaries like candy and choclolate are a big hit among the children.

In Brazil Christmas is nothing short of a feast. Large quantities of food with many choices are on offer and served in the evening of 24th December. These include fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts. Then many bowls and platters of rice, salald, ham, cold cuts, potato salads which are served with roast turkey. Another popular option in many parts of Brazil is roast pork, roast chicken and also fish. Lemon tarts, nut pies, chocolate desserts, panettones always have been hugely popular with the Brazilian population.

In the country of Germany the primary choices are usually roast carp or goose while suckling pig and duck or also often served. Typical German choices include cabbage dishes like Kale, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and also red cabbage. Germany is famous for some its desserts and some of these include marzipan, spice bars like Lebkuchen , fruit cakes, bead cakes like Christstollen and Dresdener Stollen and also several types of bread.

In India the food customs and methods of celebrations are usually inspired from that of the United Kingdom. Roast chicken and roast duck are popular choices, How ever over the years many states like Kerala and Goa have developed some interesting preparations with their touch of Indian spices which also often feature in their yearly Christmas celebrations. Fruit cakes, plum cakes and chocolate desserts are also enjoyed in this part of the world.

Mexican food during Christmas is an extremely interesting and tasty fare. Common dishes are various fruits in the like of lime, oranges and other tropical fruits. Then there is salad (that has a vritey of ingredients going for it right from jícama, beets, bananas, and peanuts etc). Also in many states stews are made: either pozole, made of pork or beef and hominy in red chile sauce; or menudo made with beef tripe and hominy also in chile sauce. In other parts of Mexico, bacalao (codfish) and romeritos (rosemary) prepared with mole are exciting and highly popular dishes.. Aprt from that there is the evry traditional dish Christmas dish - tamales served with sauce over them and sometimes cream and a bit of crumbly fresh cheese. For dessert, atole (a thinned hot pudding) with buñuelos (fried flour tortillas sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon), or buñuelos soaked in sugar (piloncillo) and cinnamon water, are served. We also have the sweet tamales: corn with raisins or sweet beans, or strawberry flavored. Stuffed turkey or ham is also common.

Christmas dinner in both the United Kingdom and Ireland is usually eaten in the afternoon on the 25th of December. The dinner usually consists of roast turkey. But other alternatives like goose, chicken, duck, capon, beef and pheasant are also popular alternatives. These are served with stuffing and sometimes forcemeat; pigs in blankets; cranberry sauce or redcurrant jelly; bread sauce; roast potatoes (this may be boiled or mashed); boiled or steamed vegetables, brussels sprouts and carrots; with dessert of Christmas pudding (or plum pudding), sometimes mince pies or trifle, with brandy butter and/or cream.

In United States many customs are adopted from the United Kingdom. The mainstays are roast turkey, beef, ham, roasted root vegetables, brussel sprouts , squash, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, plum pudding sugar cookies, apple pies, carrot cakes frit cakes etc. While the centerpiece of the sit down meal is usually roast turkey, ham, beef or goose. Regional places offer a lot of diversity with oysters, ham pie fluffy biscuits etc. Game like possum, quail, elk are also popular in some of the rural areas.