Planning a Christmas feast already? Then you shouldn’t miss out on desi festive foods which are made across different parts of India. Some traditional Indian Christmas foods evolved from the cuisines of colonisers or settlers, like Portuguese, British and French and are renditions of their Christmas recipes.
But some Indian Christmas foods are regional delicacies which have homegrown recipes and can be made with indigenous ingredients. Let’s have a look at some of the most appreciated Indian Christmas delicacies:
Bebinca
This traditional Goan dessert is popularly prepared during Christmas and boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history of Portuguese colonization. Bebinca is a layered pudding made with ingredients like flour, coconut milk, sugar, and ghee. It’s usually baked layer by layer, with each layer being individually set before adding the next one, so it’s quite labour-intensive and not often found off the rack in bakeries.
Kulkuls
These bite-sized, deep-fried pastries have a unique shape resembling curls or shells and are made from a simple dough composed of all-purpose flour, coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. It’s mainly popular in Goa during festive weeks. The dough is rolled into small balls, then each ball is individually pressed against a textured surface which gives kulkuls their distinctive appearance. The shaped dough is then deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy and sweet snack. They are known by different names like kidyo, kalkal or sweet curls
Nankhatai
The popular Indian biscuit is commonly made during festive seasons, including Diwali and Christmas and is consumed in many parts of India, especially Punjab. Nankhatai has a rich, buttery, and crumbly texture and is made with all-purpose flour, besan, ghee, sugar and cardamom, and may also include nuts. Nankhatai is believed to have been introduced by the Mughals, who had a Persian cultural background.
Rose Cookies
Rose cookies, also known as "Achappam" or "Achu Murukku," are a popular traditional snack in Southern part India, especially Kerala. The crispy, deep-fried cookies have a distinctive flower-like shape and are made using a special mould called an "Achappam mould. They’re made with rice flour, all-purpose flour, coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt and are prepared much like any batter biscuits.
Neureos or Nevaris
These sweet dumplings or pastries are made by creating a crispy outer layer using all-purpose flour or semolina, and they are traditionally stuffed with a mixture of grated coconut, jaggery or sugar, and sometimes include ingredients like chopped nuts, cardamom, or poppy seeds. They are particularly popular in Goa, since they’re a cherished part of Goan Christmas traditions, and families often prepare these sweet dumplings at home
Ginger Wine
This homemade beverage is usually made during the Christmas season in Kerala and is famed for its bracing, spicy flavour, making it a perfect choice for winter. It’s made with fresh ginger, sugar, water, and sometimes spices like cinnamon and cloves and is usually fermented before serving
Ribbon Pakoda/Ribbon Murukku
The popular South Indian savoury snack is cherished throughout the year, but during Christmas it’s often made as a sign of celebration. Its ribbon-like appearance is achieved by using a special perforated ladle or mould for shaping the dough. It’s made like regular murukku but its dropped into the hot oil in a circular or crisscross pattern, forming ribbon-like shapes.
Guava Cheese
Guava Cheese, also known as "Perad" is a sweet delicacy made from guava fruit and is popularly prepared during Christmas, especially in and around Goa and some pockets of eastern India. Guava cheese is often compared to halwa due to its tender texture and it has a sweet, slightly tangy flavour, and the natural colour of guavas; its origin can be traced back to Portuguese settlers in Brazil where it's known as Goiabada.