Christmas Eve meals

[Morning Glory]

Do you have a tradition of a particular meal for Christmas Eve? In some cultures, fish is a traditional choice.

Tell us your family or cultural traditions for Christmas Eve fare.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Christmas Eve, for Venezuelans, is Christmas day for British/American/Australian/New Zealanders.
We eat hallacas ( a spiced, cornmeal "tamale", filled with pork, chicken and veg, wrapped in plantain leaves); roast pork (usually a whole leg), pan de jamón (ham bread, which also contains olives, capers and raisins) and ensalada de gallina (a basically Russian salad with chicken and a few other bits). There may be a green salad on the side, but there's also plenty of rum, whisky and wine flowing. Dinner is usually served around 11pm, and then the party begins.

 

[Morning Glory]

Christmas Eve, for Venezuelans, is Christmas day for British/American/Australian/New Zealanders.
We eat hallacas ( a spiced, cornmeal "tamale", filled with pork, chicken and veg, wrapped in plantain leaves); roast pork (usually a whole leg), pan de jamón (ham bread, which also contains olives, capers and raisins) and ensalada de gallina (a basically Russian salad with chicken and a few other bits). There may be a green salad on the side, but there's also plenty of rum, whisky and wine flowing. Dinner is usually served around 11pm, and then the party begins.

Is that what you do?

 

[Gone Hiking]

We often do crab legs or shellfish on Christmas Eve.

 

[Morning Glory]

We often do crab legs or shellfish on Christmas Eve.

Perfect. I am going to be on my own but I am ordering some fresh oysters.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Is that what you do?

Absolutely. We'll probably be out until about 2.30-3am on the 25th.

 

[Wombat457]

Nothing traditional so it really depends on what we feel like when we wake up that morning ...

 

[badjak]

Nothing traditional here either.
Even christmas had no fixed menu, except often smoked salmon for starters.
Boxing day was the left over smoked salmon as starter followed by erwtensoep (Dutch pea soup).

 

[Wombat457]

Boxing Day was always "recovery day" for us

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Nothing traditional here at all.
I'll prepare a much as I can for there next day, but that's it really.

 

[SandwichShortOfAPicnic]

This year I’ve settled on Beef in Black Bean Sauce for Christmas Eve because I can make it in advance and it’s the antithesis of everything else we’ll be eating for days after.