Traditional recipes from the Global South for the holidays

From Africa to Asia to the Caribbean, the diversity of foods makes eating an adventure and the holiday season a delight.

Baked jollof rice

It’s a meal anyone will enjoy any day. The rice meal is prepared by cooking a gravy sauce with a variety of spices and adding rice and any proteins of one’s choice.

Baked or smoky jollof is even more delightful with its unique flavourful taste. The trick if it's not baked in the oven is to have a little bit of the bottom burnt, to create the smoke feel.

It is widely enjoyed by many families during the holidays in West Africa. Jollof rice is popular in countries including Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone and is served with fried plantain, vegetables, and meat or any preferred protein.

Pounded Yam and Efo Riro

Definitely a delicacy for the holidays in Nigeria, Efo Riro is a traditional food prepared with vegetables. The leaves used for the vegetable soup are usually called efo tete but in place of that, spinach or kale can be used.

The name Efo Riro simply means stirred leafy vegetable. It is popular in many Nigerian homes and can be described as a festive food that goes with rice, plantain or pounded yam which is the most popular.

Pounded yam on the other hand is made from boiled yam that is pounded until it becomes ball-like and smooth. Your Christmas will be made with a bowl of this.

Pork Vindaloo

It is a specialty in many homes in Goa, India, during the holidays. Pork Vindaloo is made with marinated pork loin cooked with chilli peppers, onions, and spices.

The word vindaloo comes from the Portuguese recipe ‘vino de alhos’. ‘Vino’ means vinegar and ‘alho’ means garlic. Pork Vindaloo can be served with rice and or flatbread.

Ayam Rica

Ayam Rica is a special dish that originated from Manado, the capital city of the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi. It is a typical Christmas dish that comes from the Manado language and means spicy or chilli chicken. It is prepared with spices, herbs, and a lot of chilli pepper.

Indonesian food is usually very spicy and Ayam Rica is just the perfect meal when combined with rice and vegetables. Christmas dinner with Ayam Rica will certainly do the trick for any family.

Chester

It can be described as Brazil’s signature Christmas main meal. The Chester is a special variety of chicken with high meat. They are roasted and carved like boneless honey ham for Christmas dinner. The name Chester comes from its meaty nature, particularly around the chest and thighs. It is usually carved over a bed of fresh fruit or vegetables and served with any preferred accompaniments including rice.