A Spanish Christmas Feast – Steps into Spain (2024)

What will you eat this Christmas in Spain?

If this is your family’s first Christmas in Spain, then there are a few important things to know. Firstly, Spanish families usually celebrate their big Christmas meal on the 24th(Nochebuena), at night time with their immediate and extended family. It is a very big deal and always involves the very best in food and wine.

Secondly, exactly what people eat varies by region (but of course!), however there are some common dishes that most families will include. Take a look below at the delightful dishes that you can add to your family’s meal this Christmas in Spain.

Aperitivo (Appetizers)

Let’s begin with the famous aperitivos – jamón, soft goats cheese and Manchego will vie for space with queso azul and cream cheese. Pate and crackers, sausages of every description, morcilla, salchichon, and chorizo… And these are are just to whet the appetite!

Jamón (Spanish ham)

A Spanish Christmas Feast – Steps into Spain (1)Of course people eat jamón all year round but this is a time of year when a lot of Spanish families have a ´pata de jamón’ (entire ham leg) in their home and slice it as and when needed. It really is not as easy as it look and unfortunately, hospitals usually see a spike in hand cuts and injuries around this time of year!

The best Spanish hams come from Iberian pigs, a dark-haired, black-footed ancient breed that is known for delectable marbled meat. You can pick out the Iberian hams at the market or at a restaurant by the color of the hoof, which is black. In fact, this hoof is so important that most locals just call Iberian ham “pata negra”—black-foot ham

To make the top-quality ham, some pigs get treated like royalty. Once they’ve reached 100 kg in weight,the piggies freely roam the forest-filled pastures of the farm (called adehesa), full of olive groves, acorn trees, chestnut trees, and wild herbs. The pigs help to fertilize the area, and the trees in turn provide them their food.

Aside from the wild herbs and grass of these pastures, the main food available to the pigs areacorns (bellotas). During autumaand winter, the pigs are let out to roam freely and gorge on acorns! As a result, every pig gains about two pounds of weight for every day of this process.

The sweet, nutty flavor of the acorns permeates deep into the meat, giving it a subtle and unique taste. The pigs also absorb oleic fatty acid from the nuts, changing the biology of their body fat. Because of the health benefits associated with plant-based fats, this ham has even been proven to lower your body’s cholestrol! Take a look at this video to understand why Jamón Ibérico is the world’s most expensive cured meat.

Marisco (Seafood)

A Spanish Christmas Feast – Steps into Spain (2)Seafood plays a big part in a Spanish Christmas meal, and is often served as the main course instead of the traditional turkey. Depending on the region of Spain, the mariscadas often also include shellfish such as mussels and “navajas¨(razor clams). They may also feature lobster tails and different types of crabs. These saltwater delicacies are in such high demand during the Christmas season that they nearlydouble in priceduring the last weeks of December!

Pescado (Fish)

Some families will include a fish dish likebesugo(sea bream),rape(monkfish), or the less expensivebacalao(cod).

Cochinillo (Roast suckling pig)

A roast suckling pig is another favourite Christmas meal in many parts of Spain, particularly around the region of Castilla y León. The suckling pigs are normally halved and roasted and served in one piece on a platter, with head, hooves and all. They are cooked until the skin is brown and crispy and served with of onions and potatoes.

Lechazo (Suckling lamb)

A Spanish Christmas Feast – Steps into Spain (3)Another Christmas favourite is lechazo. It’s important to note that it’s different to lamb in that it is usually about one month old and is still drinking their mother’s. These unique characteristics produce a meat that is pearly white or pale pink, very tender, juicy, and with a soft texture.

Pavo relleno (Stuffed Turkey)

It might make an appearance but usually on a much smaller scale compared to other countries as it not the main dish.

Cardo con almendras (Cardoons with almond sauce)

Cardoons are grown in the northern regions of Aragón, La Rioja and Navarra, so that is where this vegetable is most popular at Christmas. Vaguely like an artichoke in taste but with more consistency, like celery in texture but with a deeper flavor.

Escudella de Nadal (Soup of galets)

This is a popular Christmas dish in the Catalan region. Galets are huge pasta shells, which are usually stuffed with mincemeat and eaten floating around in a meaty soup.

Roscón de Reyes (Spanish Christmas cake)

Theroscónis a sweet bread (almost like a brioche) that is baked into a circle or an oval shape. It isn’t always filled, but traditional fillings include whipped cream, chocolate cream, meringue or custard cream. It is typical to decorate the cake with colorful candied fruits, creating what looks like a king’s crown full of sparkling jewels.Bakers hide small trinkets throughout the cake, so be careful when biting into this pastry.

Turrón

Turrón the most typical sweet to eat at Christmas time in Spain. A type of nougat, typically made from almonds. These days, you can find all different kinds of turrón for sale, from those made with peanuts to bars filled with candied fruit.

Marzapan (Marzipan)

Marzipan iis another popular Christmas sweet – a sugary treat made from ground almonds and formed into various shapes. Some of the best marzipan in Spain can be found in the small historic town ofToledo, just south of Madrid.

Vino (Wine)

What would a feast be without some of Spain’s finest wines; Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Albariño, Rueda…to name but a few.

Cava

No Spanish Christmas meal would be complete without a glass of Cava, the Spanish version of French Champagne. The best Cava can be found in the region of Cataluña.

Let the feasting begin! ¡Feliz navidad a todos!

Sinéad Galvin is an educational consultant and founded Steps into Spain(a boutique educational and relocation consultancy located in Madrid) to help families find the right school for their child in Madrid. She uses her professional and personal experience of Spanish schools, the Spanish education system and the Spanish way of life to ensure that parents are knowledgeable and informed about what to expect and can secure the best school for their child.

Steps into Spain will take stock of your children’s educational needs and overall family requirements (housing, paperwork and general settling in). A happy child is a happy parent, which is the central ethos of Steps into Spain, and one less challenge.

A Spanish Christmas Feast – Steps into Spain (2024)

FAQs

A Spanish Christmas Feast – Steps into Spain? ›

Usually, members of the extended family gather around a feast which although differs depending on where you are in Spain will almost certainly include; jamón (Spanish ham), marisco (sea food), cordero (leg of lamb), pescado (fish), fine wine and all kinds of desserts.

How do the Spanish celebrate Christmas in Spain? ›

In Spain, a predominantly Catholic nation, it's a common practice for people to attend church on Christmas Eve after their grand Christmas dinner for the 'misa del gallo' at midnight. During this midnight mass, Spaniards renew their faith and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

What is the traditional Christmas dinner in Spain? ›

Rotisserie meat (especially lamb, suckling pig or Ternasco lamb, if possible, cooked in a woodfire oven) and oven-baked fish, such as bream or sea bass, are among the most typical main courses.

What are 5 facts about Christmas in Spain? ›

Here are five of the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain.
  • Drawing the balls of the national lottery. “El Gordo” Christmas lottery. ...
  • Christmas Eve gastronomy. ...
  • Christmas lights © Left and centre: jcami / Right: Olivier Guiberteau. ...
  • New Year's Eve grapes. ...
  • The arrival of the Three Wise Men from the East.

What are the three distinct celebrations of a Spanish Christmas? ›

The three main events during the holiday season in Spain are Christmas, New Year, and Three Kings Day. This post was updated on December 5, 2022.

What happens in Spanish Christmas? ›

Usually, members of the extended family gather around a feast of meat, wine, typical foods not eaten at other times of the year, and all kinds of desserts. For devout Catholics, there's an important event after dinner: it's time to go to a special midnight mass called the Misa del Gallo.

What is Santa called in Spain? ›

Spanish: Papa Noel (lit.

The man behind the Spanish name for Santa Claus is commonly known to give out presents on 24th December or 25th December (from Papa Noel), or on 6th January (from the Three Kings).

What does Spain drink for Christmas? ›

El Coquito is a delicious and creamy coconut drink, prepared with GOYA® Coconut Milk and sweet GOYA® Coconut Cream, cinnamon and rum. Traditionally this rich drink is prepared at Christmas and served cold. It is the perfect drink to toast with family and friends.

What are 8 fun facts of Spain? ›

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  • Spanish naming tradition uses two surnames. ...
  • Spain loves siestas. ...
  • The Moors conquered almost half of Spain in the 8th century. ...
  • Arabic language had an influence on Spanish. ...
  • Spain was neutral in both world wars. ...
  • La Sagrada Família basilica is still in progress.

What symbolizes Christmas in Spain? ›

Thanks to the Franciscan monks, the pascua flower crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1678, but it was not until the 1960s that it started becoming the symbol of Christmas in Spain and some other European countries.

What is a traditional Spanish Christmas treat? ›

Polvorones and mantecados are a must among the Spanish Christmas sweets on any Christmas table. These are very small cakes made of flour, butter and sugar and baked in the oven. They have a very special texture, and when you eat them they turn to powder in your mouth.

What are Spanish Christmas carols called? ›

Christmas in Spain is a magical time filled with music as carolers sing traditional Spanish Christmas carols, known as villancicos, in city plazas and churches.

What is the most famous Spanish celebration? ›

July: San Fermín & The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona

Probably the most well known Spanish festivals, The Running of the Bulls is a token of Spanish culture. The festival commemorates the be-heading of the Saint Fermin who died a Martyr.

What are the most popular Christmas decorations in Spain? ›

Caganer. Christmas trees, lights, and mistletoe are all part of the holiday decorations. Although the people of Spain are, in general, most passionate about their nativity scenes, known as belenes or pesebres.

What do families do on December 24th in Spain? ›

In Spain, La Nochebuena is celebrated on the 24th of December and is traditionally a family occasion. Usually, Spanish families will start their Christmas Eve by attending a Christmas Mass at their local church. Then, on to marvelling at nativity scenes and indulging in a grandiose family dinner.

Do they have xmas trees in Spain? ›

Christmas trees and gifts

Christmas trees are usually fir trees in the north of Spain and pine trees in the south. Families take pleasure in decorating them together around mid-December. It is one of the places to be filled with presents of the Wise Men on Epiphany (Los Tres Reyes Magos).

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