Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I started thinking about traditional holiday foods that could be eaten other times of the year but usually are not. How many of you cook a whole turkey other than around the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays? I don’t yet it’s a good idea for a big meal.
Ham is another holiday food that I only eat or cook during Christmas or Easter. But what about all of the other traditional foods that come out once a year, especially around Christmas? Some that immediately come to mind include candy canes, ribbon candy, fruitcake, eggnog, chestnuts, and gingerbread. Some of these are only available to purchase during November and December, but others could be made and eaten year-round, but it just doesn’t seem appropriate.
In my family we also make homemade perogies on Christmas Eve, a tradition handed down by my grandmother. Hot chocolate also grows in popularity during the holiday season, at least in my house, as do all types of Christmas cookies and treats.
Do you have any traditional holiday foods to add to this list? I’ve never had a Christmas stolen but that’s another traditional holiday food, as is figgy pudding. The holidays are rich with foods, traditions, and once-a-year indulgences that add to the magic of the season. Be sure to add your favorites here.
