Christmas County

   Christmas is celebrated almost everywhere in India, including the 4 metro cities. Despite of minority, Christianity is well practiced and the churches in every city of India prove their presence.

The food served here is somewhat rooted in Portuguese and French cooking style with an infusion of Indian spices.

Pork, chicken, fish, and beef are the main courses usually served here. Cakes baked here are equally good as in the United States. India is a diverse country, united by all religions!

The more I write about the Christmas savories, the better my taste buds activate. The alluring images just don't fade from my mind and the aroma of the food fills in my lungs as if I would die if I didn't get to indulge in the cuisine soon.

Well, food has always been any human’s favorite discussion, I am here to discuss the special cuisine prepared for the gala evening.

As I promised to discuss the most populated country of the world in my last article, here I come with the united food despite a diverse culture. Let’s welcome the world's most populous country India.

( though not anything to be proud of) but the population here is well-known to gel with worldwide customs and celebrate all festivals equally.

Christians may be a minority in India, but Christmas is celebrated with utmost enthusiasm across the country.

Almost the entire country comes alive with the decorations and party-hosting skills. Carols, cakes, and Santa can be seen everywhere on the streets of India known as “Bazaars”.

Especially children are treated well during the eve. They receive sweets and toys from their elders and friends.

December is considered as a month of celebration in India.

Among these celebrations, Christmas holds a special place, often referred to by Indians as "Bade Din," which means huge days, referring to respectable and sacred days. Every single Indian knows what Christmas means for humanity.

It would sound surprising that during Christmas most Indians along with foreigners crowd in the joyful city of India named Goa. 

known as the city of beaches, Goa is a coastal paradise with a tropical climate and a mouth-watering Christmas menu that tantalizes the taste buds. The festive spirit in Goa is irresistible, indulging everyone in its joyous embrace.

Beef Roulade – The Authentic Christmas Dish

An irresistible Goan delicacy, the beef roulade, is a finger-licking blend of meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices. This delicacy inspired by French and Portuguese cuisines, makes for a lovely appetizer or a satisfying main course when accompanied by pulao or traditional Goan pao.

Sorpotel, a dish with Portuguese roots, is a beloved staple in Goa, Mangalore, and among the East Indian community of Mumbai.

This flavorful dish involves parboiling and dicing meats and organs, that are finally sautéed and simmered in a tangy, spicy masala.

In Goa, no wedding, special occasion, or festive feast is complete without the presence of Sorpotel, making it an integral part of the region's culinary traditions.

Bursting with spicy and tangy flavors, this pork preparation with Portuguese origins is a cherished tradition in Goan Catholic households during Christmas.

Savored with sanna, poi, or parboiled rice, this versatile Goan delicacy is an essential part of the festive Christmas spread.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is a cosmopolitan city of India. It is the country's largest city and a major financial hub, it’s lively and densely populated.

Christmas in Mumbai transcends mere decorations and carols; it is a vibrant tapestry woven with community, joy, and the spirit of giving.

The Christmas cuisine in Mumbai is extraordinary, blending local flavors with traditional holiday dishes. In the city that never sleeps, the irresistible festive fare will make you yearn for more, unable to resist its delicious allure.

Traditional Christmas lunches in Mumbai feature timeless classics such as honey-glazed ham, creamy mashed potatoes, and festive pies.

For a more lavish celebration, Christmas brunches in the city offer a merry medley of gourmet delights and sparkling beverages, perfect for those seeking to brunch in style.

Swig of Khimad, Bite of Guava Cheese

For dessert, there’s a traditional sweet, made with butter, coconut, almonds, and semolina, and guava cheese, a chewy, fudge-like sweet made from guava and sugar.

Kerala is one of the smallest states of India occupying just 1.3 percent of the total land of the country.

Nestled in the southwest corner of India, it is bordered by Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is known as God’s pantry.

In Kerala, Christmas embodies the spirit of compassion and brotherhood championed by Jesus Christ. The entire state adorns itself in a festive tapestry, with streets alive with anticipation and activity days before the arrival of Christmas.

A typical Christmas breakfast among Kerala’s Syrian Christians features ‘appam’ paired with mutton stew.

The festive feasting extends throughout the day with delicacies such as ‘vattayappam’, soft and pillowy cakes made from fermented rice, and duck ‘mappas’, a slow-cooked curry rich with coriander and coconut milk.

Another highlight is kozhi pidi—bite-sized rice dumplings simmered in coconut milk—served with mildly spiced chicken curry as a comforting one-bowl meal.

Common festive dishes also include kudampuli fish curry, where pot tamarind and fish shine, and mutton or banana flower cutlets.

The traditional sweet treat is pazham nanachathu: sun-dried ripe bananas, or simply ripe bananas, served with palm toddy reduced to a honey-like consistency and fresh coconut.

Delhi, the capital of India, is one of the most decorated cities of the eve. You won’t feel you are in India on this special day.

Every single street and shop is finely decorated with Christmas trees and bells. Families and visitors arrange parties and enjoy every moment of the evening.

Delhi is well-known for its sweet tooth. The Christmas cake is Delhi’s famous cake sold all over the city that day. The taste and the decoration of the Christmas Cake is unmatchable. Almost, half of Delhi munches on these cakes.

Kolkata, the first metro city of India consists of beautiful churches, which are decorated like fairy tales on the 25th of December. …

At the heart of Kolkata's Christmas celebration are the beautifully adorned churches, woven into the very fabric of the city's culture. On this day, Kolkata transforms into a festive wonderland, and no celebration is complete without a visit to these iconic, resplendent churches.

Salt beef, also known as salted beef or salt meat, was once a cherished Christmas staple in the homes of Kolkata’s Christian community.

Traditionally paired with plum cakes and wine, this cured meat was a highlight on the festive menus of many Christian, particularly, Anglo-Indian, households in the city.

However, over time, the labor-intensive preparation of salted beef has led to its gradual disappearance from Christmas tables, Still, it is cooked in some traditional families who love the nostalgic taste.

Christmas in India is like its very own festival. Despite several different communities, the celebration is on a grand scale.

160 countries celebrate Christmas and discussing the entire menu would be like digging up the sea. But I would feel lucky if you gave me the opportunity.