Holiday foods from around the world: Grub Glossary

(Pix Patisserie)
National Desk By National Desk
on December 20, 2013 at 5:05 PM, updated March 03, 2014 at 10:22 PM


The holiday festivities at the end of the year are observed across the world, with each culture preparing unique foods, desserts and drinks to celebrate their faith, family or folklore. Some of these foods have made their way into holiday festivities in the United States. With menus and grocery stores offering treats such as panettone, stollen and pfeffernusse, will you know what to expect when you take your first bite?

Buche de Noel [Boosh-deh-no-el]

Buche de Noel, or Yule Log, is a traditional dessert served around Christmas in France and other Francophone countries around the world.  

The dessert is made with a sponge cake cooked in a shallow pan so the cake is thin, frosted and rolled into a cylinder. The outside of the cylinder is then frosted and made to look like bark. Oftentimes they are served with part of the cylinder cut off and put on top of the cake to look like a chopped log and are adorned with powdered sugar, meringue mushrooms or berries. 

Buche de Noel can be made at home. See a recipe here.

Glogg [Guh-leg]

Glogg, as it's called in Nordic countries, is a mulled (heated and spiced) wine made with various spices, sugar and fruits. The beverage can also be made non-alcoholic, substituting juice for the wine. Stronger versions can also include vodka, brandy or aquavit. 

Glogg is easy to make at home and great for parties. See our recipe here.

Panettone [Pah-neh-toh-neh]

Panettone is a sweet bread that originated in Milan, Italy and is made during the Christmas and New Year's season. It is eaten and prepared across Europe, as well as in some countries in South America where it serves as a replacement for King cake. 

Panettone is made from an acidic dough base, similar to sourdough, which gives it a light and fluffy texture. Raisins, citrus zest and other fruits are also mixed in. The bread is shaped like a cupola, with a cylindrical base and domed top. It can also be baked in a star-like or octogonal shape. 

Panettone can be found at most groceries or bakeries this time of year, but here's a recipe you can try at home.

Pfeffernusse [Feff-er-noo-suh]

Pfeffernusse is a fluffy cookie made with ground nuts and spices, such as cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom and nutmeg. The cookies are typically associated with Christmas, particularly in Germany. 

Some holiday markets may sell pfeffernusse. Or you can make them at home

Stollen [Shh-toll-en]

Stollen is a bread-y fruitcake made with dried and/or candied fruits, nuts and marzipan (a confection made with almond meal and sugar or honey) that is then topped with powdered sugar. 

You can use this recipe to make stollen at home.

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