If you have planned a vacation to Mexico for the holidays you are probably excited by the prospect of trying some different Mexican Christmas dishess. At Villa del Palmar Cancun, all of the restaurants will have special Christmas menus that showcase traditional Christmas dishes from the US and Canada, as well as dishes that you may find in Mexico during the holiday season. Mexico is rich in culinary history, therefore, it should come as no surprise that there are more than a few tasty traditions that you may not have tried before on the menu around Christmas time in Mexico.
Take a look at some of the most popular dishes that Mexicans eat at Christmas.
Tamales
Tamales are rightfully at the top of the list for Mexican Christmas delicacies, being the main feature of the popular posada parties. Posadas are advent parties held on the run up to Christmas Eve, known as Noche Buena, where guests and hosts will reenact the arrival of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem before the imminent birth of the baby Jesus. There is a traditional song which is sang before tamales are eaten. Tamales are made from cornmeal mixed with a variety of fillings, such as chicken, beef or vegetables, steam cooked in corn husks. This delicacy is frequently served with atole (sometimes called champurrado) which is a hot chocolate type drink made from corn flour.
Bacalao: the perfect christmas dish
It might seem like an usual choice for a Mexican Christmas, but Bacalao (dried salted codfish) is a prime delicacy in Mexico at Christmas time. Although the tradition originated with the arrival of the Spanish, it remains a popular recipe that serves cod cooked in a tomato stew with potatoes.
Pozole
A Mexican favourite any time of the year, though especially popular during the major holidays like Christmas, Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo, pozole is a stew-like dish made with pork or chicken and maize, seasoned with garlic and chilli. It is usually topped with sliced radish and shredded lettuce or cabbage, and drizzled in lime juice, often accompanied by tostadas.
Turkey
Like the United States and Canada, turkey can still be found on the Christmas menus in Mexico. It is often roasted or may be used instead of chicken in a Christmas mole (mole is a traditional thick sauce usually made from cocoa, seeds and nuts, amongst other ingredients).
Buñuelos: the best christmas dessert
A common feature in a Mexican Christmas, this delicious dessert or sweet snack is made from sweet dough, deep fried and dipped in sugar. Often served with atole or other hot drinks, buñelos are particularly popular around Christmas.
Mexican Christmas Ponche
Ponche is a traditional Mexican fruit punch, sometimes (but not always) made with alcohol. More akin to mulled wine, large chunks of apples, pineapple and other fruits are added to a liquid made from Mexican hawthorns and sweetened with piloncillo and cinnamon.
At Villa del Palmar Cancun, guests with reservations for a Mexican Christmas can expect to enjoy a delicious special menu in all of the restaurants on both December 24th and December 25th. For New Year’s Eve, Caprichos restaurant will be host to Caribbean Extravaganza, a delicious dinner with Cuban entertainment to get you in the mood for the new year, followed by a White Party.
