Christmas in India is a beautiful blend of cultural and regional flavours, reflected in the variety of dishes prepared during the festive season. Here’s a list of the most loved Christmas dishes across the country:
Plum Cake (Pan-Indian): A quintessential Christmas dessert, plum cake is rich with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, soaked in rum or brandy.
Appam & Stew (Kerala): This South Indian delicacy features soft, lacy rice pancakes (appam) served with a creamy coconut-based chicken or vegetable stew.
Kulkuls & Neureos (Goa): Goan Christmas celebrations are incomplete without these fried treats. Kulkuls are sweet, sugar-coated curls of dough, while neureos are stuffed with coconut, jaggery, & nuts.
Rose Cookies (Kerala, Tamil Nadu): Known as achappam, these crisp, floral-shaped cookies are deep-fried and have a hint of coconut flavour. They’re a hit among children and adults alike.
Vindaloo (Goa): This fiery pork dish, marinated with vinegar and spices, is a staple on Goan Christmas tables. It’s often paired with sannas (Goan steamed rice cakes).
Bebinca (Goa): This layered Goan dessert made with coconut milk, eggs, and ghee is a traditional favourite, representing indulgence and love.
Marzipan (Mumbai): Almond-based marzipan, shaped into fruits, stars, or animals, is a colourful addition to Christmas platters.
Mutton Curry (North-East): In regions like Nagaland and Mizoram, spicy mutton curry served with rice or bread is a festive highlight.