Preface
Acknowledgments
Getting Started
Glossary of Food Terms
Introduction
1. AFRICA
All holidays: African Porridge (Traditional Cornmeal Mush)
North Africa
Ramadan: Harira Souiria (Ramadan Soup)
Algeria
Eid al-Fitr: Fish with Cumin
Independence Day: Loubia (Green Beans with Almonds)
All holidays: Chlada Fakya (Fresh Fruit Medley)
Libya
Eid al-Fitr: Haraymi (Marinated Fish in Tomato Sauce)
All holidays: Semesmyah (Sesame Candy)
Morocco
All holidays: Batinjaan Zalud (Cooked Eggplant Salad)
Ramadan: Moroccan Mint Tea
Weddings and Feasts: Mescouta (Date Bars)
Sudan
Eid al-Adha: Cooked Eggplant with Groundnuts
Eid al-Adha: Tajine with Lamb, Lemon, and Olives (Lamb and Vegetable Stew)
Tunisia
Independence Day: Sablés (Sand Cookies)
Eid al-Fitr: Tunisian Dried Fruit Salad
Eid al-Fitr: Stuffed Dates with Fondant
West Africa
Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo
Independence Day: Akkra Funfun (White Bean Fritters)
Burkina Faso
Bobo Masquerade: Burkina Faso Chicken Gizzards
Christmas: Groundnut Cookies
Winter Solstice or Independence Day: Boussan touba (Beancakes)
Ghana
All holidays: Fufu (Yam or Sweet Potato Balls)
Independence Day: Atwimo (Twisted Cookies)
Gambia and Guinea
Eid al-Fitr: Poulet Yassa (Chicken Casserole)
Eid al-Fitr: Boiled Mangoes
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Christmas: Halibut Casserole
Christmas: Avocat Epicé (Avocado Boat)
Liberia and Sierra Leone
Eid al-Fitr: Aloco (Fried Sweet Plantains)
All holidays: Banga (Palm Nut Soup with Crabmeat)
All holidays: Black Beauty and Ponkie Rice (Eggplant and Pumpkin Rice)
All holidays: Rice with Chicken
Mali and Mauritania
Eid al-Fitr: Lamb Stew
All holidays: Sweet Couscous
Niger
Eid al-Fitr: Joffof (Rice with Lamb)
Eid al-Fitr: Niger Pancakes with Shrimp
Nigeria
All holidays: Ewa Dodo (Seafood, Plantains, and Black-Eyed Peas)
All holidays: Kuli Kuli (Groundnut Patties)
lri-Ji Festival: Futari (Yams and Squash)
Senegal
Independence Day: Mafé of Senegal (Groundnut Stew)
All holidays: Homemade Peanut Butter
Eid al-Fitr: Thiebouidienne (Fish Stew)
Central Africa
Angola
Christmas: Nyeleng (Peanut and Beef Gumbo)
Cameroon
All holidays: Poulet au Yassa (Chicken Stew)
National Day: Fried Millet
Central African Republic
All holidays: Greens and Rice
All holidays: Loz (Almond Sweetmeats)
Chad
All holidays: Jarret de Boeuf (Beef Stew)
Ramadan: Mtedza-Malawi (Peanut Vegetable Casserole)
Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo
All holidays: Egusi Soup
Easter or Harvest Feast: Pinto Beans with Potatoes
Equatorial Guinea and Gabon
All holidays: Equatorial Guinea Chicken with Peanut Sauce
Southern Africa
Botswana
Christmas: Cold Beef Curry
Lesotho and Swaziland
Moshoeshoe Day or Christmas: Cabbage and Bacon
All holidays: Mealie-Meal (Cornmeal Cakes)
Christmas: Inyama Yenkukhu (Traditional Pan-Fried Chicken)
Namibia
Easter or Christmas: Kejenou (Chicken and Shrimp Stew)
All holidays: Afriki Yakhni (African Curry)
South Africa
Christmas: Geel Rys (Rice Side Dish with Raisins)
Christmas: Krakelinge (Dutch Figure-Eight Cookies)
Christmas: Karringmelkbeskuit (Buttermilk Rusk)
East Africa
Burundi and Rwanda
All holidays: Kuku na Nazi (Chicken in Coconut Milk)
Christmas: Banana and Split Pea Porridge
Djibouti and Eritrea
Ramadan: Mararake Kaloune (Fish Gumbo)
Ethiopia
All holidays: Yetakelt W'et (Spicy Mixed Vegetable Stew)
All holidays: Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread)
Ethiopian Christmas: Yemiser Selatta (Lentil Salad)
Kenya
Christmas Dinner: Cold Roast Beef with Pineapple
All holidays: Peach Chutney
Christmas: Sukuma Wiki (Sautéed Kale or Collard Greens)
Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia
All holidays: Salady Voankazo (Fresh Fruit Compote with Lychee Nuts)
Easter and Famadihana: Curried Rice with Raisins and Nuts
Independence Day: Kitoza (Dried Meat)
Mozambique
All holidays: Matata (Clam and Peanut Stew)
Eid al-Fitr: Bolo Polana (Nuts and Potato Cake)
Somalia
Eid al-Fitr: Skudahkharis (Lamb and Rice)
Eid al-Fitr or Christmas: Samaki Was Kukuang (Poached Whole Fish)
Tanzania
Christmas: Coconut Bean Soup
Eid al-Fitr: Supu Ya Ndizi (East African Plantain Soup)
Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Easter, or Christmas: Wili na Samaki (Rice with Fish)
Eid al-Adha or other Christian holidays: Kashata (Coconut Balls)
Uganda
All holidays: Engege Apolo (Ugandan-Style Fried Fish)
All holidays: Matoke (Plantain and Meat Stew)
Zimbabwe
All holidays: Sosaties (Lamb Kebobs)
All holidays: Sadza (Fried Cornmeal Mush)
2. ASIA, INDIA, AND SOUTH PACIFIC AREA
Afghanistan
All holidays: Pakaura (Golden Potato Coins)
All holidays: Chutni Gashneetch (Cilantro Chutney)
Eid al-Fitr: Gosh Feel (Elephant Ear Pastries)
Bangladesh
All holidays: Shakkar Pongal (Rice and Lentil Pudding)
All holidays: Behndi Foogath (Stewed Okra)
New Year's: Zarda (Sweet Rice)
All holidays: Shandesh (Fresh Cheese Dessert)
Laos and Cambodia
Visakh Bochea Festival: Phaneng Kai (Chicken Stuffed with Peanuts)
New Year's: Sambal Goreng Telo (Eggs in Red Pepper Sauce)
China and Taiwan
Chinese New Year: Chiao-Tzu (Dumpling Wrappers)
Chinese New Year: Pork Filling for Chiao-Tzu (Dumplings)
Dipping Sauce
Chinese New Year: Baked Nian Gao (Sweet Red Bean Sticky Cake)
Chinese New Year: Chinese Spring Rolls
Chinese New Year: Ch'a Yeh Tan (Tea Eggs)
India
Diwali: Massoor Dal (Orange Lentils)
All holidays: Ghee (Indian Clarified Butter)
All holidays: Paratha (also Parattas) (Flat Bread)
Holi Festival: Gulab Jamun (Fried Milk-Balls in Sweet Syrup)
Diwali: Paneer Tikka Masala (Indian Cheese with Peppers in Tomato Sauce)
Tikka Masala Sauce
Holi Festival: Halvah Dessert
Indonesia
Hindu New Year's Day: Pepes Udang (Indonesian Steamed Shrimp)
All celebrations: Nasi Kuning (Indonesian Golden Rice)
Independence Day Celebration: Gada Goda (Vegetable Salad)
Selamatan Feast: Rudjak (Fruit Salad)
Ginger Dressing for Fruit Salad
All holidays: Sotot Ayam (Indonesian Chicken Soup with Lemongrass)
Japan
Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year): Toshi Koshi Soba (Buckwheat Noodles in Broth)
Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year): Gyoza (Japanese Pot-Stickers-Dumplings)
Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year): Ozoni (New Year's Soup with Rice Cake)
Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year): Osechi-Ryori (New Year's Food)
Plum Blossom Eggs
Sliced Carrots
Cucumber Slices
Tsukemono (Pickled Vegetables)
Mizutaki (Tabletop Cooking in Broth)
Dipping Sauce
Korea-North and South
Sol or Ch'usok: Bulgogi (Korean Barbecued Beef)
Sol or Ch'usok: Kimchi Chigae (Kimchi Stew)
Sol or Ch'usok: Kimchi (also Kim Chee) (Pickled Cabbage)
Malaysia and Singapore
Chinese New Year: Udang Masak Lemak Nenas (Pineapple Prawn Curry)
Holi or Eid al-Fitr: Nasi Mlinyak (Malaysian Golden Rice)
Diwali or Eid al-Fitr: Kheema (Spicy Okra)
All holidays: Sevian (Rice Pudding Vermicelli Dessert)
Mongolia
Nadaam: Gambir (Baked Dough Dessert)
Myanmar (Burma)
Hta-Ma-Ne (Harvest Festival): Toasted Rice and Fish Soup
Thingyan (Water Festival): Curried Vegetables
Pakistan
Ramadan: Yakhni (Pakistani Broth)
All holidays: Pilau (Saffron-Scented Chicken Pilaf)
Ramadan: Shahi Tukra (Pakistani Sweet Bread)
Philippines
All holidays: Salabat (Ginger Tea)
Day of Valor: Papaya Fruit Salad
Christmas: Lumpiang Uboi (Filipino Spring Rolls)
Brown Sauce
Christmas: Kari-Kari (Oxtail Stew)
All holidays: Bibingka (Coconut Rice)
Sri Lanka
All holidays: Rotis (Sri Lankan Coconut Flat Bread)
Ramadan or Easter: Malu Hodhi (Fish Curry)
Sinhalese New Year: Kiribath (Sinhalese Milk Rice)
Eid al-Fitr: Gingered Bananas
Thailand
Songkran: Yam Krachup (Water Chestnut Salad)
All holidays: Foi T'on Rum (Golden Threads around Meat Bundles)
Peanut Sauce
Buddhist New Year: Ka Nom Jeen Sour Name (Pineapple Fish with Rice Noodles)
Songkran: Kai Yang (Thai Grilled Chicken)
Loi Krathong (Festival of Lights): Sangkaya (Thai Custard)
Vietnam
All holidays: Bò Bóp Thâú (Cold Beef Medley)
Tet Nguyen Da: Goi Salad
Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
The South Pacific
Australia and New Zealand
Journey of Healing Day: Macadamia Nut Cookies
Christmas: Pineapple and Cabbage Salad
Christmas: Quick Bickies (Quick Cookies)
Christmas: Toheroa Soup (Clam Chowder Soup)
Christmas: Canterbury Lamb with Honey
Christmas: Apricot and Ginger Glazed Salmon
Anzac Day: Anzac Biscuits (Cookies)
All holidays: Upside Down Cake
Christmas: Plum Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Fiji
Diwali: Kokda (Marinated Fish with Coconut Cream)
All holidays: Fresh Coconut, Grated
All holidays: Homemade Coconut Cream (NOT Coconut Milk)
All holidays: Coconut Milk
Papua New Guinea
Christmas: Chicken and Greens in Coconut Milk
3. THE CARIBBEAN
Bahamas
Carnival: Souse Pollo (Bahamian Chicken Stew)
Easter: Bahamas Fish Pie
Christmas: Coconut Loaf Cake
Christmas: Bullas (Caribbean Christmas Cookies)
Cuba
All holidays: Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and Rice)
Carnaval de Santiago de Cuba: Papas Rellenas (Stuffed Potato Balls)
Las Parrandas de Remedios: Yuca con Mojo (Yucca with Garlic)
Dia de los Trabajadores: Pollo con Piña a la Antigua (Traditional Chicken with Pineapple)
Christmas: Pastel de Naranja (Orange Cake)
Dominican Republic
Christmas: Sancocho (Meat Stew)
Christmas: Chicharrones de Pollo (Dominican Fried Chicken)
Christmas: Refresco de Coco y Piña (Chilled Coconut Milk and Pineapple)
Grenada
Christmas: Oil Down (Fish and Meat Stewed in Coconut Milk)
Easter: Caribbean Spice Cake
Christmas: Tropical Smoothie
Haiti
Christmas: Pain Patate (Sweet Potato Bread)
All holidays: Callaloo (Spinach Stew)
Christmas: Run Down Mackerel
Day of the Dead: Coconut Almond Tart
Jamaica
Coptic Christmas: Curried Meat
Easter: Easter Bun
Coptic Christmas: Jerk Pork and Chicken
All holidays: Jamaica Coat of Arms (Rice and Peas)
Puerto Rico
Day of the Three Kings Festival: Pernil Adobo Mojado (Pork Roast)
Adobo Mojado (Garlic Pepper Marinade)
Trinidad and Tobago
All holidays: Trinidad Doubles
All holidays: Baked Plantains
Carnival: Sancoche (Trinidad Corn Soup)
Easter: Coconut Bread
All holidays: Sweet Potato Cookies
4. EUROPE
British Isles
England
Christmas: Old English Trifle (The Great British Pudding)
Christmas: Roasted Chestnuts
Christmas: Boiled Chestnuts
All holidays: Chestnuts and Brussels Sprouts
Ireland
Saint Patrick's Day: Irish Boiled Dinner
Saint Patrick's Day: Irish Apple Mash
Wren Day: Boiled Fruitcake
Scotland
New Year's: Hogmanay Bun (Scottish New Year's Bun, also Black Bun)
All holidays: Basic Pie Crust
Saint Andrew's Day: Oatmeal Crusted Scottish Herring (Oatmeal Crusted Pan Fried Fish)
All holidays: Edinburgh Fog (Auld Reeki) (Whipped Cream Dessert with Macaroons)
Wales
Saint Dwynwen's Day: Saint Dwynwen's Day Treat (Chocolate Raspberry Bread Pudding)
Saint David's Day: Leek Soup
Saint David's Day: Leek and Chicken Pot Pie
Christmas: Wassail (Spiced Holiday Fruit Drink)
Northern Europe
May Day: Sandkake (Scandinavian Pound Cake)
May Day: Cool Cucumber Salad
Denmark
Christmas: Andesteg (Roasted Duck with Prunes)
All holidays: Rodkaal (Braised Red Cabbage)
May Day: Danish Chicken Salad
Christmas: Rødgrød Med Fløde (Raspberry Pudding with Cream)
Finland
National Day or Christmas: Sieni-porkkanapatee (Mushroom-Carrot Pâté)
Christmas: Lanttulaatikko (Finnish Turnip Casserole)
May Day: Sima (Finnish Spring Mead)
Iceland
Christmas: Sírópskökur (Syrup Cookies with Dried Fruit and Nuts)
Sumardagurinn fyrsti (First Day of Summer): Poached Dried Fruit
Norway
All holidays: Spinatsuppe (Spinach Soup)
Christmas: Fiskeboller (Norwegian Fish Balls)
Dill Shrimp Sauce
All holidays: Stuede Poteter (Creamed Potatoes)
Christmas: Fyrstekake (Royalty Cake)
Sweden
Saint Lucia Day or Christmas: Lussekatter (Lucia Buns)
Christmas: Potatis Korv (Sweden Christmas Sausage)
Christmas: Julskinka (Mustard Glazed Ham)
All holidays: Janssons Frestelse (Jansson's Temptation)
Christmas: Klenäter (Swedish Christmas Bowknots)
The Baltic States
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Easter: Zapekanka iz Riby i Kartofelya (Haddock and Scalloped Potatoes)
Easter: Sweet Apple Bread Pudding
Lemon Sauce
Western Europe
Austria
All holidays: Knödel (Bread Dumplings)
National Day: Küpferlin (Crescent Cookies)
Easter: Kugelhopf (Easter Cake)
Belgium
All holidays: Stoofperen (Stewed Pears)
Christmas: Cougnou (Baby Jesus Bread)
France and Monaco
Christmas: Gratin Dauphinois (Potato Au Gratin)
Christmas: L'estouffat De Noel (Christmas Beef Stew)
Christmas: Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake)
Cream Filling
Chocolate Frosting
Yule Log Cake
Germany
Christmas: Pfeffernüsse (German Pepper Nut Cookies)
Christmas: Basic Gingerbread Dough
Gingerbread People, Animals, or Tree Ornaments
Lemon Icing
Christmas: Kartoffelsalat (Caraway Potato Salad)
Netherlands
Christmas: Speculaas (Dutch Spice Cookies)
Christmas: Poffertjes (Pastry Puffs)
Switzerland
Fastnacht (Carnival): Risotto in Bianco (White Short-Grain Rice)
Fastnacht (Carnival): Mehlsuppe (Browned-Flour Soup)
Fastnacht (Carnival): Zwiebelwähe (Onion Tart)
Christmas: Spitzbuben (Jam-Filled Sandwich Cookies)
Southern Europe
Albania
Christmas or Eid al-Fitr: Yogurt Soup
Lent or Christmas: Fergesë e Tiranës me speca (Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Tomato Sauce)
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia
Slava: Dubrovnik (Fish Stew)
Easter: Serbian Musaka (Eggplant Casserole)
White Sauce for Eggplant Casserole
Eggplant with Meat Sauce
Preseren Day: Peristeria Gemista (Stuffed Pigeon)
All holidays: Bucnica (Squash and Cream Cheese Strudel)
Greece
Easter: Mayeritsa (Easter Soup)
Easter: Lambropsoma (Greek Easter Bread)
Easter: Arni Frikase (Fricassee of Lamb)
Avolemono (Egg-Lemon Sauce)
Easter: Arni me Pilafi sto Fourno (Lamb with Rice Pilaf Casserole)
All holidays: Baklava (Nut Pastry)
Syrup for Baklava
Baklava
Italy
Christmas: Lenticchie in Umido (Stewed Lentils)
Festa della Republica: Margherita Pizza
Christmas: Bolognese (Christmas Pasta Sauce)
Christmas: Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread)
Christmas: Cassata Alla Siciliana (Sicilian Cake)
Chocolate Coffee Frosting
Portugal
Christmas or New Year's: Bolo-Rei (Portuguese King Cake Bread)
Christmas: Bomboms de figo (Fig Bonbons)
Easter: Porco Assado (Stuffed Roast Pork)
Independence Day: Conserva de Cenoura (Savory Carrots)
Spain
San Fermin Day: Jamón y queso tostadas (Open Faced Sandwich with Ham and Manchego Cheese)
La Tomatina: Paella (Spain's National One-Dish Meal)
Christmas: Mero a la Mallorquina (Roasted Fish with Vegetables)
Christmas: Turron (Almond Nougat)
Eastern Europe
Armenia
International National Woman's Day: Apricot Soup
All holidays: Topik (Potato Dumplings)
Lent: Vospov Kheyma (Lentil and Bulgur Balls)
Easter and Christmas: Shakarishee (Butter Cookies)
Azerbaijan
Ramadan: Lentil and Barley Soup
Eid al-Fitr: Balig Levengi (Baked Fish Stuffed with Walnuts)
Bulgaria
Easter: Yaitsa po Panagyuski (Poached Eggs with Yogurt)
Easter: Khliah Raiska Ptitsa (Bird-of-Paradise Bread)
Czech and Slovak Republics
Christmas: Vanocni Polevka Z Kapra (Christmas Carp Soup)
Christmas: Cerna Kuba (Black Barley Dish)
Christmas: Moravské Váno ni Kukysé (Moravian Christmas Cookies)
Georgia
All holidays: Shashlik (Pork Shish Kebabs)
Easter: Pilaf (Rice with Dried Fruits and Almonds)
Easter: Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread)
Christmas: Beet, Barley, and Black Soybean Soup with Pumpernickel Croutons
Saint George's Day: Nigvziani Badrijani (Eggplant Stuffed with Walnut-Cilantro Filling)
Hungary
Easter: Csirke Paprikas Galuskaval (Chicken Paprika with Dumplings)
Csipetke Dumplings
Chicken Paprika
Christmas: Mond Kuchen (Poppy Seed Moon Roll)
Poland
Christmas: Fish in Horseradish Sauce
Christmas: Kluski z Makiem (Poppy Seed Noodles)
New Year's: Bigos (Polish Hunter's Stew)
Christmas: Kutya (Wheat Berry Pudding)
Christmas: Kisiel Zurawinowi (Cranberry Pudding)
Romania
All holidays: Mamaliga de Aur (Bread of Gold)
Easter and Christmas: Mamaliga Umpluta (Cornmeal Mushroom Balls)
Easter or Christmas: Ardei Umpluti (Meat Stuffed Green Peppers)
Russia
Easter: Yaitsa Po-Russki (Russian-Style Stuffed Eggs)
Easter: Kulich (Easter Cake)
Kulich Glaze
Easter: Paskha ussian (Easter Cheese Dessert)
Easter: Kurnik (Russian Chicken Pie)
All holidays: Candied Citrus Peels
Ukraine
Easter: Pysanky (Easter Eggs)
Hard-Cooked Eggs
Coloring Easter Eggs
Easter: Didivs'ka Iushka (Grandfather Soup)
Lent: Ukrainian Spinach and Noodles
Independence Day: Medivnyk (Honey Cake)
Christmas: Pampushky (Filled Doughnuts)
5. LATIN AMERICA
Central America
Belize
Saint George's Caye Day: Tapado (Seafood and Banana Stew with Coconut Milk)
All holidays: Belizean Chicken Stew
Mayan Deer Dance Festival: Banana Curry
Costa Rica
All holidays: Patatas Revolcadas Caldo (Chorizo and Potato Stew)
Juan Santamaria Day: Picadillio de Chayote (Minced Vegetable Pear with Corn)
All holidays: Buñuelos de Plátano (Banana Fritters)
Christmas: Capirotada (Chocolate Bread Pudding)
Christmas: Arroz con Leche (Spanish Rice Pudding)
El Salvador
Salvador del Mundo Day: Salvadorian Soup
All holidays: Crema de Aguacate (Sweet Whipped Avocado)
All holidays: Nogadas (Pralines)
Guatemala
All holidays: Tortillas (Cornmeal Flat Breads)
Christmas or Epiphany: Carne en Joc?n (Beef Casserole)
Independence Day: Rellenitos de Platano con Crema Dulce (Stuffed Plantains with Sweet Cream)
Honduras
Independence Day: San Pedro Sula (Simmered Beef)
Christmas: Sopa de Aguacate (Chilled Avocado Soup)
Christmas and Easter: Torrejas (Ladyfingers in Cinnamon Syrup)
All holidays: Refresco de Lechosa (Milk and Papaya Drink)
Mexico
All holidays: Tamales (Meat-Filled Corn Husks)
Independence Day: Pozole (Posole) (Hominy Soup with Pork)
Las Posadas: Pechugas Navidenas (Chicken Breasts with Squash Blossoms)
Poblano Sauce
Independence Day: Mole Poblano de Guajolote (Fowl in Chocolate Chili Sauce)
Independence Day: Chile en Nogada (Pork-Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Nut Sauce)
Nut Sauce
El Día de los Muertos: Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead)
Confectioners' Sugar Icing
Nicaragua
Christmas: Sopapillas (Fried Pillows)
Panama
Independence Day: Sopa de Almejas (Clam Soup)
All holidays: Flan Almendra (Almond Pudding)
South America
Argentina
Christmas: Pumpkin Shell Bowl
All holidays: Carbonada Criolla (Meat Stew with Vegetables and Fruit)
Christmas: Dulce de Leche (Milk Pudding)
Independence Day: Alfajores de Maizena (Cornstarch Cookies)
Bolivia
All holidays: Paltas Rellenas (Stuffed Avocados)
Christmas: Spicy Bolivian Cabbage
Christmas: Pastelitos de Almendra (Almond Cookies)
Brazil
Carnival: Feijoada (Brazilian Meat Stew)
All holidays: Couve a Mineira (Shredded Greens)
Independence Day: Maionese (Brazilian Vegetable Salad)
Carnival: Acaraje (Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)
Independence Day: Bombocado (Coconut Torte)
Chile
Christmas: Sopa de Pescado (Fish Stew)
Independence Day: Mote con Huesillo (Peach and Barley Dessert Drink)
Colombia
Easter and Christmas: Cocido Bogotano (Colombian Beef Stew)
Independence Day: Tortas de Cacao (Chocolate Cupcakes)
Ecuador
Independence Day: Secoc de Chivo (Ecuadorian Braised Goat)
Easter: Llapingachos (Ecuadorian Potato Cakes)
Salsa de Mali (Ecuadorian Peanut Sauce)
All holidays: Capritoda (South American Bread Pudding)
Guyana and French Guiana
Mashramani: Curried Zucchini Soup
Bastille Day: Baked Stuffed Fish
Paraguay
All holidays: Sopa Paraguaya (Paraguayan Cornbread)
All holidays: Tallarine Chalacos (Baked Fish with Spaghetti)
Peru
All holidays: Papas a la Huancaína (Yellow Potatoes)
All Saints' Day: Papas Rellenas (Potatoes Stuffed with Meat)
All holidays: Aji de Gallina (Spicy Creamed Chicken)
Suriname
Independence Day: Goedangan (Vegetable Salad with Coconut Dressing)
Uruguay
All holidays: Asado (Roasted Beef)
Independence Day: Chorizo y Lentijas (Sausage and Lentils)
All holidays: Chaja (Cream-Filled Sponge Cake)
Cream Filling
Venezuela
Christmas: Hallacas Centrales (Stuffed Cornmeal Patties)
Independence Day: Salsa Carioca (Venezuelan Salad)
All holidays: Bien Me Sabe de Coco (Cake with Cream of Coconut)
6. MIDDLE EAST
Arabian Peninsula
Kuwait, Oman
Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Tahini (Sesame Paste)
All holidays: Hummus bi Tahina
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Kimaje (Arab Flat Bread)
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Marinated Chickpeas
Ramadan: Lassi (Iced Yogurt Drink)
Eid al-Fitr: Apricot Squares
Independence Day: Cigarro Burek (Cheese-Filled Phyllo Dough)
Bahrain
Independence Day: Lamb with Dates
Eid al-Fitr: Fresh Fig Cake
Cyprus
All holidays: Mayeritsa (Easter Soup)
Independence Day: Simi (Turkish Bread Rings)
All holidays: Ka'ak (Cinnamon Cookies)
Egypt
Independence Day: Khoshaf (Dried Fruit Compote)
Ramadan: Koushry (Lentils and Rice)
Independence Day: Basboosa (Almond Cake with Lemon Syrup)
Lemon Syrup
Maulid al-Nabi Day: Chirkasia (Chicken with Rice in Nut Sauce)
Ramadan: 'Irea (Hot Cinnamon Beverage)
Iran
NowRuz or Independence Day: Kateh (Golden Rice Cake)
Eid al-Fitr: Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
All holidays: Yogurt Mint Sauce
Iraq
Ramadan: Fatush (Bread and Cucumber Salad)
All holidays: Tamur ou Rashi (Tahini with Dates)
Israel
Passover: Charoset (Haroseth) (Apple and Nut Relish)
Passover: Matzo (Unleavened Bread)
Passover: Chicken Soup
Passover: Knaidlach (Matzo Ball Dumplings)
Hanukkah: Tayglach (Taiglach) (Sweet and Sticky Cookies with Walnuts)
Passover: Passover Lemon Sponge Cake
Hanukkah: Latkes (Potato Pancakes)
Independence Day: Mock Chopped Liver (Vegetarian Pâté)
Jordan
Eid al-Fitr: Maamoul (Semolina Cookies)
Lebanon and Syria
Eid al-Adha: Majudarrah (Lebanese Lentils with Brown Rice and Tomatoes)
All holidays: Labna (Labnen or Labanee) (Yogurt Cheese)
Easter: Kâk bi Halvît (Easter Milk Cookies)
Saudi Arabia
Hajj: Tabeekha Yahni (Lamb Stew)
Eid al-Fitr: Tabbouleh (Cracked Wheat Salad)
Turkey
All holidays: Domatesli Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Lentil Soup)
All holidays: Bulgur Pilavi (Cracked Wheat Pilaf)
Kurban Bayrami and Seker Bayrami: Cacik (Turkish Cucumber Salad)
Eid al-Fitr: Muhallebi (Turkish Milk Pudding)
7. NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Christmas: Tourtière (Meat Pie)
Christmas: Roast Beef
Canadian Day Celebration: Maple Baked Beans
Christmas: Yorkshire Pudding
Christmas: Tarte au Sucre (Maple Sugar Pie)
Canadian Day Celebration: Canada Day Cake
United States
Fourth of July: Barbecued Cornish Hen
Fourth of July: Fresh Fruit Dessert Pizza
Thanksgiving: Wild Rice Salad
Thanksgiving: Fresh Cranberry Relish
Thanksgiving: Indian Corn Pudding
Thanksgiving: Pumpkin Pie
Kwanzaa: Quick and Easy Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Juneteeth or Kwanzaa: Mixed Greens with Ham Hock
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