What foods are traditionally served in Argentina for Christmas?
Argentina, a South American county, is the 8th largest country in the world.
Many different cultures make up Argentina, with immigrants from all over the world, including Europe, China, and Islamic countries. Which is why you will find, that different regions of Argentina, have different traditions and different foods during the Holidays.
Northeast Argentina, you will find German, Ukranian, and Spanish-Italian immigrants, serving foods during Holidays, based on thier culture.
Northwest Argentina, you will find influences from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.
The middle of Argentina, is made up of German, French, and Spanish-Italian cultures.
Traditional Argentinian food in general, is the Asado, and Barbecue.
During the Holidays in Argentina, depending on what region you are in, you will find foods such as Humita being served.
Humita, is corn in a cheesy white sauce, with onions, tomatoes, and red peppers. That is one version of Humita. Northern Argentina’s Humita is cooked in a corn husk without the white sauce, and may or may not include cheese.
Asado/Asado Al Horno (grilled or oven roasted meats) may be served, with a creamy cheese or sweet and sour sauce containing fruit.
One may also find Pionono Arrollado being served during the Holidays.
Pionono Arrollado, is a thin square, yellow sponge cake, rolled up into a log, after it has been filled with Ham, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, roasted red peppers, and mayo.
Lets not forget my favorite! Tomates Rellenos (stuffed tomatoes)! Tomatoes are hollowed out, with or without the skin, depending on your preference, stuffed with tuna, or a rice mixture. Some like them baked, or eaten raw, depending what meat you decide to put into your tomatoes. Many people like them prepared with pork.
Lastly, there is Matambre Arrollado (rolled stuffed thin flank). It is a flank steak, stuffed with boiled carrots, hard boiled eggs, roasted red peppers, olives, cheese, milk soaked bread, and ham or bacon. Once combined and stuffed, it is prepared over a grill, oven roasted, or simmered in milk.
With the wide selection of foods, in different regions of Argentina, there is bound to be a dish to satisfy even the pickyest of eaters.
Many foods, many cultures, dishes of diversity surrounding a roasted pig, which most serve in Argentina on Christmas Eve, would be most memorable for any one living in, or visiting Argentina, before, during or after the Holidays!
There are two traditional Christmas dinners that are enjoyed by the people of Argentina. Some of the natives typically prepare Ninos Envuettas – three inch squares of steak, filled with meat, spices, hard-boiled eggs and onions, which are rolled before cooking. Others celebrate by preparing roast peacock, garnished with some of its own vibrant feathers. These entrees are then surrounded by a variety of regional side dishes.
