ByIANSlife

December 25, 2021 (IANSlife)  In South Africa, Christmas brings families, friends, and communities together to celebrate with lots of dancing, storytelling, and, of course, delicious food! Christmas in the Rainbow Nation has evolved into something wholly distinct to South Africa thanks to a blend of indigenous culture and colonial elements.

While there are numerous ways to become immersed in a culture, one of the most effective is through eating. Food has an emotional connection, allowing it to be used to show love, caring, and gratitude. 

South Africa celebrates Christmas in the summer due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, many South Africans forego the customary formal sit-down on Christmas Day in favour of an outdoor braai. Braais are a popular method to enjoy the outdoors in South Africa and are similar to barbeques.

Braai, which originated in South Africa with Dutch colonists, is all about family, fun, summer heat, and delicious meat - making it the ideal Christmas feast. The huge South African Holiday Feast also includes the following special items:

Christmas Glazed Gammon

In South Africa, gammon (ham) is connected with Christmas. Despite the fact that Glazed Gammon is available all year, Christmas isn't complete without it!

In 1806 when British colonies were established in South Africa, this Christmas tradition was implemented. The Rainbow Nation's Glazed Gammon preparations are as flexible as they come! Honey-glazed Gammon, Gammon Glazed with Brandy and Coke, and Apricot and Apple Glazed Gammon are the most popular throughout the Christmas season.

Roast Potatoes with Biltong

Any meal may be transformed into a feast by adding Biltong to the mix. Biltong, which is Dutch for 'meat strip,' is a dried, cured meat that has been consumed in Southern Africa for centuries, having being introduced by European settlers and altered by locals as a hunting snack throughout time.

Seafood

Christmas is a summer holiday, hence seafood is quite popular in Christmas braais, particularly in coastal cities where fresh fish is available daily and in abundance. Before the more robust entrees, appetisers like as crayfish tail, mussels, prawns, and line-fish are commonly offered.

Chakalaka

Chakalaka is a spicy relish eaten alongside a main course that is a Christmas or any other festival staple. This easy, refreshing tomato bean side goes well with toast, pap (maize porridge), braais, stews, and curries. Beans (baked or boiled), onions, tomatoes, green peppers, cabbage, chiles, carrots, curry powder, and spices are among the basic ingredients.

Potato Salad

A creamy, old-fashioned potato salad is a must-have side dish for any Christmas feast worth its salt. In South African households, traditional recipes for this cosy bowl have been passed down from generation to generation, with each adding their own secret ingredients to the scrumptious blend. The main ingredients in this dish are eggs, potatoes, mayonnaise, green onions, and parsley.

Summer Christmas Trifle

Trifle is a famous dessert that originated in the United Kingdom and is enjoyed all year. The summer trifle, on the other hand, is a Christmas staple! A summer trifle is a chilled dessert made up of vanilla sponge cake, custard, cream, and seasonal fruit that is great for hot summer nights.

South African Koeksisters

Traditional South African Koeksisters are sweet, sticky, crunchy donuts drowned in syrup and flavoured with lemon, cinnamon, or ginger. The origins of Koeksisters are unknown, however they are thought to have come from recipes introduced to the Cape by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. Koeksisters, like its helical structure, are inextricably linked to South African identity and heritage.

Malva Pudding

Malva Pudding must be included in any list of South African culinary favourites. Malva pudding is a cake-like dish with apricot flavour that is popular in South Africa's former Dutch colonies. Malva Pudding is a spongy, moist sweet pudding eaten with cream or vanilla ice cream. It is an integral part of South African dessert culture.

Although the pudding can still be found in various forms in the Netherlands, it is now firmly established as a staple of South African cuisine. In a South African household, malva pudding with ice cream is usually the perfect finale to a Christmas supper.

 

 

 

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