Being in another country brings with it the invitation to experience new cultures, foods and traditions. This year, in spite of the pandemic, I managed to get to northern Spain to spend some quality Christmas time with my in-laws. On top of the bubbly atmosphere you’d expect from our Iberian cousins, I got to grips with their form of Christmas and everything the tradition means for them.
Santa – make way for the Kings
In Spain, they don’t have Father Christmas coming to shower the good kids with a glut of glorious gifts – instead, they embrace the legend of the Three Kings, who – as with Jesus millennia passed – travel across the globe to bestow blessings and presents upon those deserving of them. As a result, the dinner is celebrated on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day and is dubbed Nochebuena – or ‘Great Night’ – in reference to the night the famous Three Kings followed the shining star in order to witness the iconic birth of the great Messiah himself.
The food on this occasion consists not of the expected turkeys and hams with stuffing and cranberry sauce. In these coastal cities there is a penchant for freshly caught delicacies, ranging from quality crabs, prawns and shrimp of all shapes and sizes, to mouth-watering fish dishes worthy of a Michelin star restaurant. As always, on the table you will inevitably find the Spanish staples of hams, cheeses, breads and cold cuts of sausage meats, just in case seafood is not your cup of tea.
Below you will find a simple recipe for the centre piece dish – The Massera crab:
- Take the Massera crab and remove the limbs for later
- Open the crab via the soft white underbelly
- Taking the meat from within, mix both types into a fine puree
- Add whiskey, cognac or the local favourite Orujo – whichever tipple tickles your fancy!
- Replace the pureed mixture inside the empty crab shell
- Add some cooked egg cut into small cubes on top
- Serve with the legs and arms, which provide a welcome crunchy accoutrement to the smooth, delicious main.
- Enjoy with some freshly baked bread and the wine of your choice!
Of course, great food is nothing without great company – so make sure you can share this amazing dish with some loved ones. It is a delicacy that is served not only on Nochebuena, but all year round, so feel free to indulge more than ‘but once a year!’
If you enjoyed our Spanish Christmas dinner, then you are guaranteed to also enjoy our delicious Spanish New Year feast.
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