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Pictures: Christmas recipes from around the world

The town of Nuremburg, Germany has been baking lebkuchen since 1395. Recipes for these flat gingerbread cookies have been passed down through the generations ever since. Today, a mix of larger companies and smaller family-run bakeries continue to make this beloved Christmas favorite in Nuremburg for people around the world.

The town of Nuremburg, Germany has been baking lebkuchen since 1395. Recipes for these flat gingerbread cookies have been passed down through the generations ever since. Today, a mix of larger companies and smaller family-run bakeries continue to make this beloved Christmas favorite in Nuremburg for people around the world.  (Photo by Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times)

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For many of us in America, Christmas food means candy canes, cookies, a Christmas ham or turkey, and maybe a green bean casserole; but what about the rest of the world? Add an international flair to Christmas dinner this year with traditions and recipes from cultures around the globe.

Mexico: Ponche

To cozy up to the Christmas season, Mexicans brew up ponche, a traditional warm Christmas punch. While recipes vary throughout Mexico, tejocotes, the fruit of the hawthorn tree, can be found in every batch. During the traditional posadas procession–a reenactment of the difficulties Mary and Joseph faced when searching for an inn–participants receive hot ponche at their neighbors’ doorsteps as they recreate the holy journey through their neighborhood. Heat up the holidays by making traditional ponche at home, or try whipping up a festive cocktail with the brew using this recipe.  (Photo by Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

Ethiopia: Doro wat

Christmas in Ethiopia is known as Ganna, and is celebrated on January 7. After spending hours praying and chanting, the people begin feasting and dancing as a continuation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Doro wat is a spicy chicken stew often served on the holiday.  (Photo by Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

Spain: Polvorones

Polvorones will likely be found at any Spanish Christmas celebration. The shortbread cookies have a reputation for being very dry, but nonetheless they remain a popular Christmas favorite. Over the centuries, recipes have found their way throughout the former Spanish colonies in Latin America and the Philippines, and remain a popular cookie in those cultures as well.  (Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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