|
There
are other subtle differences in
Portugal including the
food consumed during the holiday period. The traditional
Christmas feast in Portugal is Bacalhau (dry salted cod)
though some families do prepare a host of different
dishes including the more traditional British dishes
including roast turkey.
If you are
moving to
Portugal and enjoy munching on Mince pies during the
festive season, you will have to either import your
Christmas treats or learn how to make the mincemeat as
they are not readily available. You may also have to
make your own Christmas Crackers as these are also not
as popular in Portugal as other European countries.
Christmas in Portugal is largely a family affair and it
is not unusual to find up to 30 family members gathered
around the table for lunch. In Portugal a feast known as
'consoda' takes place on the morning of
Christmas Day. Extra places are set at the table for
the souls of the dead, then a gift of food is given for
the sold hoping by doing so good fortune will reign down
on the family.
A Christmas log does not have the same
connotations as the chocolate one you may be
used to in the United Kingdom. The 'Cepo de
Natal' is actually a log, a piece of oak,
which burns on the hearth all through the day
and part is kept for the following year for good
luck.
One thing is the same though is the tradition of
gift-giving though today many hang their
stockings expectantly before Christmas Eve,
a change in tradition over the last few decades.
Previously children in Portugal would put their
shoes, filled with straw and carrots on window
sills to entice the 'horses of the Three Wise
Men' to stop at their doors during the night of
5th December. Treats which were traditionally
left were candied fruit and sweet breads.
|
