Traditional Spanish Christmas food

Around the world the Christmas period is a time when food takes centre stage, and Spain is no different. With many typical Spanish dishes and sweet treats enjoyed only at Christmas time, Christmas food in Spain is the perfect excuse to bring families together around the table. During the entire Christmas period in Spain, from the main Spanish Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (24th December), to celebrating the arrival of the Reyes Magos (Three Kings) on 6th January, families come together and enjoy traditional Spanish meals full of meat, seafood and of course, no shortage of sweet treats. Some of these are common festive foods all across Spain, while some are particular to certain regions of the country. While enjoying a Christmas turkey is becoming more common as a cheaper Christmas dinner option in Spain, it’s time to forget about the mince pies, and Christmas pudding and have a look at these 10 traditional Spanish Christmas foods to indulge in. If you are in Spain or just fancy enjoying Christmas with a twist, try these Spanish Christmas dishes and celebrate like a true Spaniard in 2022. 

Entremeses

Anyone who has spent even just a short amount of time in Spain will know just how much Spaniards love any sort of cured meat or charcuterie such as ham, chorizo or morcilla (black pudding), and Christmas time in Spain is no different. Entremeses, which are at the heart of Christmas food in Spain, are basically plates of cured meat that are served at the start of a Christmas dinner. Think of it like an appetiser that, as well as containing the best Spanish “jamón”, will also likely include a selection of local cheese. 

Suckling pig

 

In Spain’s Castile and Leon region, Cochinillo (suckling pig) is a very typical Christmas dish that often takes centre stage as part of the Christmas Eve meal, although there are places where lamb is the preferred meat or even turkey in some cases. People from other parts of Spain often order their suckling pig from Segovia or Valladolid months in advance, and when the big day arrives, the meat is cooked until the skin is crispy and dark brown. This juicy meat is often served with potatoes and onions which are caramelised under the meat as it cooks. 

Seafood

Eating well is very important in Spain all year round, and for an occasion like Christmas, Spaniards spare no expense. With this in mind, it’s very common to see large spreads of seafood at the Christmas Eve dinner, especially in coastal regions such as Galicia. Whether it’s a prawn cocktail or an impressive lobster main course, seafood is bound to make an appearance at some point in most Spanish Christmases. In spite of this, times are tough and inflation is affecting many Spanish families, meaning that this expensive Christmas food in Spain might not be making an appearance on as many tables this year.

Galets

Spanish Christmas food traditions are found across the country, and Galets is a traditional Christmas soup which is usually eaten in Catalonia during the Christmas season. This warming winter soup is prepared with a meaty broth and contains large pasta shells, called galets, which are sometimes filled with meat.

Marzipan

Although in Toledo, just south of Madrid, it is consumed all year round, marzipan has become another emblem of Christmas gastronomy across Spain. The first written reference of it dates back to 1577 and it is believed to be of Arab origin, although some say that it was born in the convent of San Clemente, in the capital of Castile-La Mancha, at the hands of its nuns. This sugary treat is made from ground almonds, egg yolk, and sugar and, whether you love the taste or your hate it, you have to admit that it has its place in any Spanish household at Christmas. Aside from the taste, marzipan is formed into various shapes which are almost too pretty eat and make equally great Christmas decorations.

Polvorones and Mantecados

Spanish Christmas dinner and the festive season isn’t complete without some sweet treats. So, what is a traditional Christmas treat in Spain? Polverones and matecados, of course! You’ll find these colourfully wrapped polvorones and mantecados in the majority of supermarkets across Spain during the festive period. Polvorones are a sweet Spanish treat that are known for their crumbly consistency. No Christmas meal is complete without a polverón and these buttery biscuits are traditionally made from lard, toasted wheat flour, ground almonds and sugar. They get their name because when the flour that decorates this typical Spanish sweet treat is added, it looks like dust. Meanwhile, Spanish mantecados are very similar little bisucits. They are slightly less crumbly compared to polvorones and can be found in many flavours, but the most typical are cinnamon and aniseed. 

Roscos de Vino

Another of the typical Spanish sweet treats that cannot be missed after a meal during this festive season are “roscos de vino” which literally translates as “wine rolls”. One of the peculiarities of these doughnut-shaped biscuits is that they contain a small amount of sweet wine and nuts, and once finished, they are covered with icing sugar which makes these delicious Spanish biscuits take on a snowy appearance. In addition to a dash of wine, a rosco de vino is made with flour, sugar, olive oil, lemon zest, ground sesame seeds and a splash of Anisette liqueur. When it comes to the best traditional Spanish Christmas food, those from Malaga and Castile La Mancha are particularly well known.

Turrón

This typical Christmas sweet par excellence is made from the simple ingredients of honey, sugar, almonds and egg whites. Although there are currently dozens of varieties of turrón, which is basically the Spanish version of nougat, from pistachio to truffle or coconut, the two most popular ones are still the good old hard and soft varieties. 

Roscón de Reyes

 

Moving on, this is possibly the most traditional Spanish Christmas food. No Christmas season in Spain is complete without the star of the show, the “Roscón de Reyes”. This sweet, bread-like cake is shaped like a large doughnut and topped with candied fruit slices and without a doubt is one of the most popular Christmas desserts in Spain. You’ll be hard pushed to find a house in the whole country where they don’t serve roscón for breakfast or an afternoon snack on 6th January to celebrate what is known in Spain as the Three Kings’ Day. All that’s left to decide is if this Christmas and New Year you will choose to enjoy your roscón with or without cream, a hot debate every year across Spain. 

Cava

Last but not least, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in Spain must be washed down with a glass of Cava, the Spanish equivalent of French champagne. Once you’ve gobbled up your 12 grapes on the stroke of midnight at the end of 2022, make sure to raise a glass of good Cava to toast in the New Year with all of Spain.

Filed under: Headlines by Wendy Jackson
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