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Current Issue…did you know that animal crackers were imported to the U.S. from England in the late 1800s? Barnum’s circus-like boxes were designed with a string handle so that they could be hung on a Christmas tree.
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By Paula Green This is the time of the year where visions of sugarplums and other delectable goodies dance in your head. Holiday foods vary from country to country. Here in the United States common Christmas meals are turkey or ham. Desserts often consist of pumpkin pie, fruitcake or Christmas cookies. Gingerbread has been a European delicacy for centuries. In England, unmarried women would eat gingerbread cookies for luck in the meeting a husband. The English also enjoy mince pie and Christmas pudding, otherwise called plum pudding. They are responsible for “figgy pudding,” made famous in a holiday song. Figgy pudding is made from figs, bread crumbs, cinnamon, nutmeg and milk. The pudding is baked, then topped with a brandied hard sauce, custard icing, powered sugar or whipped cream. Hiding an almond inside rice pudding is a custom in Sweden. Whoever gets it has good luck for the New Year. The French people enjoy a classic dessert called Buche de Noel. This chocolate cake is in the form of a Yule log. German folks dine on roast goose and macaroni salad. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is fish soup and breaded roasted carp with potato salad. Italian Catholics eat seven types of seafood. In parts of Eastern Europe such as Poland and Lithuania, a traditional meatless 12-dish Christmas Eve Supper is served. The people of Greece eat leg of lamb, and in Hungary, chicken parikash, is the dinner of choice. The Irish celebrate with oyster stew. The Jewish holiday Hanukkah is celebrated in December and is an eight-day Festival of Lights. Jewish people eat latkes, potato pancakes cooked in oil, to remind them of the oil that burned in the temple for eight days. In Mexico, the Christmas dinner is more fruits and vegetables. In Oaxaca, Mexico, Christmas Eve is the Night of the Radishes, when large radishes are cut into animal shapes. Speaking of animal shapes, did you know that animal crackers were imported to the U.S. from England in the late 1800s? Barnum’s circus-like boxes were designed with a string handle so that they could be hung on a Christmas tree. So since we have tantalized your taste buds with holiday delights, we must now dive into these savory questions, because it’s time to get a little trivial... 1. Name the red and white peppermint candy shaped like a “J.” 2. Name the holiday dairy drink that can be served with or without alcohol. 3. It is summertime in this country located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the folks of this nation enjoy having a Christmas meal on the beach. 4. There is a Christmas rumor that there is only one of this type of food and it keeps getting passed from person-to-person. 5. What Christmas song features figgy pudding in its lyrics? 6. What European city is the “gingerbread capital of the world?” 7. In The Christmas Song, what is roasting on an open-fire? 8. Name the African-American celebration where the food served is a blend of Caribbean, African and South American flavors. 9. What is the name of the Muslim observance where they invite people for Iftar (meal and snacks commemorating the breaking of fast)? 10. Sufganiyots (jelly donuts) are eaten during this holiday celebration. 11. Name the Christmas cookie which is shaped like a golf ball, and consists of chocolate, coconut and alcohol. 12. On Sept. 5, 2001, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted this popular (holiday) cookie as its official cookie. 13. What foods are commonly left out for Santa and his reindeer? 14. What typical food is served for a New Year’s Day meal (meat & vegetable) for good luck? 15. A bakery item is also served for the New Year’s for good luck. It is shaped in what form? |
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Sources: http://christmas.howstuffworks.com http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy Answers: 1. Candy Cane; 2. Eggnog; 3. Australia; 4. Fruitcake; 5. We Wish You a Merry Christmas; 6. Nuremberg, Germany; 7. Chestnuts; 8. Kwanzaa; 9. Ramadan; 10. Hanukkah; 11. Rum Balls; 12. Sugar Cookie; 13. Cookies & Milk for Santa, Carrot for the Reindeer; 14. Pork and Sauerkraut; 15. A pretzel |
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