What is the traditional Christmas food in Greece?

Unlike Western Countries where they eat Turkeys, in Greece, the main Christmas meal is often pork (and lamb) . There are many traditional pork Christmas recipes that vary depending on the region.

What is the most traditional Christmas dessert in Greece?

Melomakarona . Melomakarona, the most traditional of all Christmas sweets, will most likely be found in nearly all Greek households during the holiday season. If you would like to try making them at home, take a look here, or if you are interested in finding out the fat and calorie content, then take a look here.

Which of these is a typically eaten meat at Christmas in Greece?

The factor uniting these different traditions is that they were and still are an important reason to bring the family together come Christmastime. Pork is, without a doubt, the traditional Christmas dish eaten in most parts of the country.

What are typical Christmas drinks in Greece?

Greece: Tsipouro We have a lot of thanks to give to the Greeks when it comes to the creation of alcoholic beverages. And their traditional Christmas drink is no exception. Made especially for the holiday season, Tsipouro includes a blend of whiskey, brown sugar, cloves, and thin slices of apple.

Do Greeks eat meat on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Food Traditions in Greece Some Greeks will fast and not eat meat for 40 days before Christmas, and break their fast after the midnight mass on Christmas Eve . The main Christmas meal in Greece tends to be either pork or lamb, which is slow roasted in an oven or cooked slowly on a spit.

What do they call Santa in Greece?

In Greece, Santa Claus is known as ' Ayios Vassileios '. Like Turkey, Agios Vasilios delvers gifts on New Year's Eve.

What is the oldest Greek dessert?

Loukoumades don't take much to make. All you need is all-purpose flour, dry active yeast, salt, and water. And, of course, honey. In Greece, they are the oldest recorded dessert, with the Greek-Sicilian poet Archestratus describing deep fried donuts soaked in Enkrides (a honey syrup) in the 4 th century BCE.

Does Greece have any Christmas traditions?

The 12-day festive period's three major celebrations – Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany – are marked with caroling performances all around Greece . During these celebrations, children go out into their communities singing kalanda accompanied by brass ensembles and choirs to spread holiday cheer.

What is Greek Christmas called?

Greek Christmas ( Christougena ) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate.

What is a traditional Greek Christmas dinner?

Roast pork is what's traditionally served on the Greek Christmas table. This delicious pork is brined overnight and then slowly baked covered, until it gets perfectly tender! Go To Recipe → AVGOLEMONO - Egg & Lemon Chicken Soup With Rice.

What are Greek Christmas treats?

Melomakarona are traditional Greek Christmas cookies made with a combination of olive oil, honey, flour, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Kourabiedes are another popular Greek Christmas treat. They are buttery shortbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar.

What is the famous alcoholic drink in Greece?

OUZO . To start, ouzo is one of Greece's most common and popular liquors. This beverage was created in the 1800s and can only be made in Greece and Cyprus – so you know it is authentic. Ouzo is made with grape or grain and is then distilled with anise, fennel, and other herbs.

What is souvlaki in Greece?

Souvlaki, marinated meat grilled on a skewer , is a Greek fast food. Pork is traditionally used to make the dish, but chicken, lamb, and beef are also common.

Greek Christmas Recipes (2024)

Want to make your holiday dinner tasty and unique? This collection of authentic and amazing Greek Christmas recipes is the perfect solution!

I grew up eating most of these recipes with my family at the holidays. They make me super nostalgic and I have loved recreating them with vegan ingredients. I'd say they are even tastier now!

Being first generation Greek, our holidays represented very non traditional foods. I didn't know anything different and grew to love all of the favorites my mom and dad loved as a child!

What do they eat for Christmas in Greece?

Growing up, my mom ate traditional things for Christmas. Most of which she passed on when she came here. The main dish is usually turkey or pork. But my mom sometimes made other things like moussaka (which I created a vegan moussaka from and it's incredible) as our main.

Sides included things like roasted potatoes, spanakopita (which I also have a vegan spanakopita that is incredible), rice stuffing (although you don't stuff it in anything), Greek salad and various vegetables.

And of course there is dessert. Traditional Greek Christmas cookies are melomakarona and kourabiedes, and there is also baklava that is a filo based pastry.

How do you say Merry Christmas in Greek Orthodox?

Merry Christmas in Greek is Kala Christougena. The translation means "good Christmas." The "ch" has a soft sound almost like an "h" and the "g" has a sound almost like a "y."

What traditions does Greece have for Christmas?

One of the biggest traditions in Greece is going to church. Growing up, I loved Christmas eve service. The singing and how festive it looked always made me happy!

Now, they do exchange presents like we do in America for Christmas, however back when my parents were growing up, they had Christmas trees and presents for the new year. That is when St. Nicholas came.

My mom grew up very poor, so hey had neither a tree or presents. Gifts were focused more on what they needed like clothes and shoes. They also did not have a tree.

My dad grew up in the city and was able to have the traditions of most. They also put their shoes outside so that St. Nicholas would fill them with treats.

Appetizers

Here are a few traditional appetizers we may have out at Christmas. My mom often also puts out feta cheese and Greek olives.

Secret Ingredient Greek Hummus

Alight and airywhipped consistency with hints of lemon and Kalamata olives. Thisflavorful Greek hummus is the perfect appetizer or snack!

Yellow Split Pea Dip (Greek Fava)

witch up your hummus routine with thisprotein filled yellow split pea dip. It’s called “Fava” in Greek, and the perfect way to get your healthy snack on!

Sides

Here are some different Greek side dishes we like to include along with a greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion whenever we get together for holidays.

Peas with Scallions and Dill

5 ingredients toyour next favorite side dish!Whether it’s the holidays, or a weekly meal, this simple yet flavorful recipe is the perfect addition! Side note: it goes AMAZING mixed with pasta.

Traditional Greek Rice Stuffing

I grew up eating this rice stuffing every Christmas and it was always one of my favorite dishes. I turned it into a vegan version and love that I can continue to share it with my family every year!

Main Course

The main course can change year after year. While traditionally, turkey or pork is what is eaten for Christmas, since we don't eat either, I like to mix up what I serve as a main course.

Greek Vegan Moussaka

Greek vegan moussaka is the perfect main dish to replace that boring old turkey!Creamy, satisfying and delicious. And, it’s based on my Greek mothers authentic recipe,this isthe real deal people.

Vegan Yemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)

Taking tradition to the next level with thesevegan Greek stuffed tomatoes and peppers. These Yemista are a healthy satisfying meal that screams the flavors of Greece!

Vegan Greek Pastit*io

Greek comfort food meets plant-based in this vegan Greek pastit*io. All the flavor of the traditional version but with a healthy twist!

Desserts

And of course you need a good Greek dessert to top off the meal! These recipes are ones we make year after year and are always on our holiday table.

Melomakarona Recipe (Greek Christmas Cookies)

A melomakarona recipe perfect for the holiday season. You'd never know these Greek Christmas cookies are gluten-free and vegan!

Greek Vegan Baklava

You may have had baklava before, but never like this. My mom’s family recipe, perfected over years of work, is out of this world incredible! And this vegan baklava has a never before seen oil-free option!

Kourabiedes

A Greek butter cookie that's vegan, gluten-free and with a healthier butter free option. Both Kourabiedes recipes are incredible and Greek dad approved!