Unique Christmas Food from Around the World
How does fried worms or whale blubber sound for the holiday table? You won’t believe some unique Christmas food that is enjoyed around the world.
What do you enjoy for Christmas dinner? Do you stay with the traditional and enjoy turkey, ham or prime rib? Or is your holiday tradition something very different all together? Here’s a look at some unique Christmas food that people enjoy around the world.
Kentucky Fried Chicken in Japan
While Christmas is not widely celebrated in Japan, only one percent of the population is estimated to be Christian, those who do partake mark the occasion with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve. This unique food tradition started in 1974 thanks to a clever marketing campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas.” Turkey is not available in Japan and when a group of foreigners who wanted to celebrate decided to go with the famous fried chicken instead, the company decided to create a special “chicken and wine” special for $10. Today the package includes cake and Champagne and sells for about $40 and people order their meals months in advance so they don’t miss out.
Fried Worms in South Africa
Forget about turkey and ham, the Mopane “worm” is actually the caterpillar of the Emperor Moth and it’s a featured on many holiday tables. It’s an important source of protein and usually served dried the rest of the year, but at this time of year the moth is in season and fresh Mopanes are fried and enjoyed by many. Would you dare to try this unique Christmas food?
Raw Blubber and Fermented Birds in Greenland
Traditional Inuit dishes don’t really appear outside of the Arctic and probably with good reason. In Greenland they eat Mattak, raw whale skin that has been diced. Auks, a sea bird similar to a penguin, are stuffed into a dead seal, feathers and all, and left to ferment for about 7 months. When the time is up the sewn up seal is opened and the birds are served right from the cavity. Could this be the most unique Christmas food from around the world?
We’ll stick with the traditional turkey for Christmas!