As winter settles across the world, people gather around the table to share dishes that reflect their rich culinary traditions. From slow-roasted meats to warming desserts, winter meals often bring people together, offering comfort and warmth throughout the holiday season.
Cuba – Lechon Asado
Pit-roasted pig is the centerpiece of a Cuban Christmas Eve dinner. Whole young pigs are marinated overnight in adobo, a garlic-sour orange marinade flavored with cumin and oregano. Come Christmas Eve, the pig is barbecued and served with mojo – a cumin and fried garlic vinaigrette that contains orange juice, lime juice, oregano and parsley. (Photo/Lara Herrera)
Iran – Khoresh Fesenjoon
Iranians celebrate mother’s day on the birth anniversary of Lady Fatima Zahra, who is regarded as the paragon of virtue. Lady Fatima Zahra was born on the 20th of the month of Jamadi al-Thani, which in 2024 falls on Dec. 22. The day is celebrated by spending time with one’s mother and giving them gifts, flowers and cakes. Many also take their mothers out to eat, and a popular dish is Khoresh Fesenjoon: chicken stew flavored with pomegranates, walnuts, orange peel and rosebud. Fesenjoon is commonly served with a side of tahdig, crispy rice made with saffron. (Photo/Uma Hedge)
India – Gajar ka Halwa
Widely popular in Northern India, Gajar ka Halwa is a carrot pudding that is made during weddings, parties and festivals – specifically during Diwali, which typically falls between mid-October and mid-November. It is made with red carrots – which grow during the fall and winter season – as well as ghee, milk, sugar, cardamom powder and cashews. (Photo/Uma Hedge)
China – Tangyuan
Tangyuan are chewy, mochi-like dumplings made from rice flour and water. They are often filled with sweet ingredients such as red bean paste and are traditionally eaten during the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of Chinese New Year. The name “Tangyuan” is a homophone for the traditional Chinese world for “reunion,” which symbolizes togetherness and completeness. (Photo/Doreen Li)
USA – Candied Yams
A Thanksgiving favorite, candied yams find their roots in Southern cuisine. The dish consists of sweet potatoes slow cooked in a mixture of brown and white sugar with butter, warm cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract and orange juice concentrate. Candied yams come with a toasted marshmallow topping that’s made by heating them until the marshmallows are golden and melty. (Photo/Shutterstock)
