In India, Christmas happens to be one of the largely celebrated festivals and people belonging to all communities indugle in positivity and come together to embrace the happy festival.
Attending church mass, preparing a wholesome feast, exchanging gifts, these are a few elements of a traditional Christmas. Also, if not entirely different, people in India have their own distinct way of celebrating Christmas.
Here are five preparations that are common in India for the Christmas feast!
Sannas are the festive brothers of idlis. They are steamed lentil cakes and originate from Goa and is popular in Mangalore, Karnataka as well. In fact, Mangalorean Catholic Cuisine is incomplete without sannas. During Christmas especially, they are served with pork bafat, a spicy pork dish prepared with a medley of powdered spices. Sannas are also served alongside chicken or mutton curries.
'Sarapatel', also famously known as 'Sorpotel' is a dish of Portuguese origin, now popularly cooked in Goa, Mangalore, Karnataka and East India. Sarapatel is a luscious curry, primarily prepared with shredded pork. But depending on the region, the lamb’s meat or simply beef can also be used. Sarapatel is usually accompanied by Sannas.
Vindaloo, originating from Portugal is a hit in India for Christmas. With the Goan cooks popularising this succulent dish since the Colonial era, it is primarily a pork-based preparation. However, restaurants outside Goa may serve Vindaloo with other forms of meat due to the varying restrictions on pork and beef all around India. However, it is again a meat curry and quite popular in India.
A Christmas feast can’t be complete without something sweet. Be it candy cane or a conventional Indo-Portuguese cake dessert, Bebinca. It originally consists of seven layers and is prepared using simple ingredients like plain flour, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), egg yolk, and coconut milk. It is a standard dessert, accompanied by ice-cream during Christmas in Goa and Pondicherry. It is also easily available to carry and preserve for a long time or eaten fresh.
This is an absolute original and staple dessert for an "Indian Christmas." Kulkuls are commonly known as Filhos in Goa and have the texture of a cinnamon pastry. A dessert belonging to the Portuguese origin, Kulkuls or Filhos are prepared by forming balls from a mixture of flour and eggs and then deep frying them and sprinkling them with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
From the list above, one can tell how the Christmas feast in India is at par with anywhere in the world. Surely, our dishes consist more of curries and spices but that's the charm! After all, India is known for its curries and spices. And the Christians in India do not shy away from flaunting their culinary skills and boasting their dishes which have just the right blend of both traditions, taste, and culture.
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