¿Cómo se celebra la Navidad en España y en América Latina? How is Christmas celebrated in Spain and Latin America?

      While some countries await the 25th and 26th of December in eager anticipation, Spanish speaking countries (los países hispanohablantes) like Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Cuba, etc  start their celebration as early as on the 24th of December, to usher in the Christmas day on the 25th.

This feast is called "La Nochebuena" which literally means "Good Night". Which is simply the "Christmas Eve".

La Nochebuena is celebrated on the night of the 24th day of December, a day before Christmas on the 25th. Every 24th December of every year, the whole family reunites and dines together usually before or after la Misa del Gallo (Mass of Roosters) at 12 midnight. This feast is celebrated in commemoration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph al establo (at the stable) en Belén (in Bethlehem) where the baby Jesus Christ was born.

      This fiesta is usually accompanied by a lot of special delicacies that are not eaten on a normal day. The dishes differ from country to country. But one thing is certain, it normally reflects the rich food culture and tradition of the countries.

For example in Spain, the dishes can range from soups, pavo (turkey), cordero asado (roast lamb) o cochinillo (suckling pig), sea foods (mariscos) like gambas (shrimps), cava para brindar (for toast), etc. And Christmas desserts (postres navideños) like turrón, polvorones, etc eaten during ''La Sobremesa''.

In Mexico, it is traditional to enjoy this night with homemade tamales, atole (hot corn or maize drink), bacalao (codfish) a la vizcaína (Biscayne style cod) or romeritos (little rosemary) en revoltijo, pavo (turkey), lechón (roast pork), etc. With some buñuelos (small doughnuts) for desserts and ponche para brindar (punch to toast).

In the Caribbean, pavo (turkey), lechón (roast pork) with arroz (rice) and judias (beans), pasteles (tamales), ensaladas (salads) of different kinds are served with bebidas like coquito (an alcoholic beverage that is similar to eggnog made with coconut milk, condensed milk and white rum), etc.

In Cuba, you're sure to see tables laden with traditional dishes like lechón (roast pork), los frijoles negros con arroz (black beans with rice), Yuca frita con Mojo (fried cassava with garlic sauce), plátanos maduros fritos (fried sweet plantains), ensalada (salad) and flan for dessert.















Fíjate:
La Sobremesa: A Spanish tradition of having an after-lunch/after-dinner conversation.


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