The holidays are a time to bring friends and family together to enjoy good company and, most importantly, good food. Every culture has special dishes that make the holidays special, and Mexico has many. Christmas is not just a day in Mexico, it’s a season that lasts from December 12th all the way to February 2nd. And the significance of the holiday is marked with lots and lots of delicious Mexican food.
Here are just a few of the special foods Mexican families make for the holiday season.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Don’t let the name fool you, these butter cookies are for Christmas! Despite being called wedding cookies, you are far more likely to find them as a part of a holiday spread than a wedding feast. And these are easy to make, too, if you want to try them at home. All you need is butter, flour, and sugar. You can add nuts for a little extra flavor, but they’re just as delicious without.
Tamales
Sweet or savory, you’ll find tamales at any Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) celebration. One of the most common Christmastime fillings is pork, but each region and city has its own local favorites.
Buñuelos
This holiday dessert is everywhere in Mexico in the weeks leading up to Christmas, both in homes and sold on the streets. The yeasted dough is flavored with anise and drenched in syrup or covered with guava, brown sugar, and cinnamon. In the city of Oaxaca, they serve buñuelos on clay plates and then throw them on the ground at their feet when they finish!
Rosca de Reyes
For a Mexican food that appears after Christmas, we have Rosca de Reyes, or “Three Kings Bread.” This ring-shaped sweet bread is for the celebration of the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. Bakers decorate Rosca de Reyes with bright colors and flavor it with spices, dried fruit, and almonds.
Ponche Navideño
You need something to drink, too, and ponche navideño will warm you up! This is a warm fruit punch that you make by simmering fruits and spices over a hot stove. You can drink it on its own, but we like the adult version with tequila or brandy.
Mexican Food with a Twist at Los Primos
At Los Primos, we put a fusion twist on traditional Mexican food. Come celebrate the holidays with us or just enjoy a night out with friends and family.