The roasted turkey is a tradition of peoples descending from the Aztecs and Mayans, who used it as an offering to the gods and a symbol of abundance and good fortune, as its large size could feed the entire tribe.
On a tray, golden codfish balls are displayed—croquettes introduced by Spanish colonizers for consumption during fasting days of red meat in Holy Week.
In the state of Minas Gerais, roasted goat with farofa (manioc flour) and adorned with fruits is a staple.
Another must-have on the Christmas menu is the salpicao, a legume salad with shredded chicken or turkey, pineapple, apple, grated carrot, potatoes seasoned with mayonnaise, parsley, and other spices. It’s a delight.
Desserts are also present, including the slice—a traditional sweet made with thick slices of bread soaked in milk, wine, and sugar, then dipped in egg and fried. Finally, it is sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
Italian tradition is represented by the famous panettone, although there is a story about its origin in Brazil. It is said that a young man named Toni fell in love with the daughter of an Italian baker, who owned the bakery where he worked.
To impress the maiden and her father, Toni prepared a bread dough filled with dried fruits, which turned out to be a delicious treat and was very well received by the people, who called this bread "Toni's Bread." From this traditional sweet, Brazilians created savory versions with salami, codfish, dried tomatoes, and others.
