In a melting pot like London, there’s no end of different twists on the traditional festive meal. After all, at last count more than 300 languages are spoken in this great city. Here’s a taste of some of the foods enjoyed by the many people here with global roots:
Polish
Beetroot is a favourite veg, popping up in borscht soup. Mushrooms are another, stuffed into pierogi dumplings. Other go-to foods include herring, carp, potato salad, sauerkraut and cakes baked with poppy seeds.
For the Polish community, it’s traditional to fast on Christmas Eve before a blow-out feast with a dozen dishes. At the table, one chair is left spare for unexpected guests.
Swedish
Potatoes and onions are key ingredients for a classic dish called Jansson’s Temptation, a gratin baked with sprats, a relative of the anchovy. The Swedes celebrate in style – often for weeks – and have their big meal on Christmas Eve. This is often served buffet-style, a.k.a. the julbord, washed down with shots of schnapps. Cured salmon, smoked eel, meatballs, ham, lye-fish, crisp breads and rice pudding are among other popular dishes. The Swedes’ version of Santa is called Tomte and is more of a gnome-like creatures who knocks on your front door.
Portuguese
For the sweet toothed amongst us, you can’t beat the Portuguese traditional of conserving fruit. Elvas plums are the classic treat, often enjoyed with a glass of port. Main courses include dishes such as salted cod with potatoes, boiled octopus and roasted lamb. On Christmas Eve, no feast is complete without a Bolo Rei, the King Cake and type of fruit sponge
North Americans
With Thanksgiving now over, thoughts turn to Christmas. Potatoes are often mashed, not roasted, in this part of the world. Ham or roast beef often takes the place of turkey, while sweet pumpkin or sweet potato pies step in for the Christmas pudding.
Albanian
Pumpkin is a must for baking a traditional pie with walnuts called Byrek me kungull dhe arre. This is often made on Christmas Eve. Baklava pastries are another sweet treat.
