What Do People Eat on Little Christmas?

Little Christmas, also known as Epiphany, takes place on January 6th, extending the joy of the holiday season. Each country celebrates this day differently, but one common element is the special food traditions associated with it. As these unique dishes often incorporate festive leftovers from Christmas, they sustain the holiday cheer. 

Take a culinary journey, exploring the quintessential dishes relished on Little Christmas, from Ireland to Italy, Spain to Mexico. Today, you’ll learn how these foods shape the traditions and rituals of Little Christmas across the globe.

Ireland: Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas)

In Ireland, the day of Epiphany is referred to as Nollaig na mBan, which translates to Women’s Little Christmas. This day traditionally allows women to take a well-deserved break after the demanding holiday season, while the men tackle household chores. 

The menu for Nollaig na mBan often includes hearty soups, stews, and meat dishes, made flavorful with Christmas leftovers stored in airtight containers. From slowly simmered beef stew to rich vegetable soup, the focus is on comfort and warmth, lending a perfect end to the winter holiday season.

Italy: Befana Cake, Sausages, and Lentils

In Italy, the Epiphany marks the arrival of the friendly witch La Befana, who leaves presents for good children and coal (usually sugary) for the naughty ones. A traditional dish associated with this day is the Befana cake, a sweet bread shaped like a witch, often packed with nuts and dried fruits. 

Another mouth-watering delicacy savored on this day is sausages and lentils. The lentils are cooked with sausages, creating a dish symbolizing prosperity in the year ahead. This hearty meal warms up the winter night and can be stored in airtight containers for multiple days of meals.

Spain: Roscon de Reyes (King Cake)

In Spain, Little Christmas is often associated with Roscón de Reyes, also known as King Cake. It’s an anise-scented sweet bread, often decorated with colorful candied fruits to represent the jewels in a royal crown. 

Baked into this circular cake is a small surprise — a figurine or a bean. The one who finds it is said to have good luck for the entire year and is designated as the king or queen of the banquet.

Mexico: Rosca de Reyes (King Cake)

Mexico, following a similar tradition to Spain, devours the Rosca de Reyes, a round-shaped fruit and spice-infused cake, on Little Christmas. Interestingly, much like the Spanish custom, a small figurine is hidden inside the cake, and the lucky one to find it has to host a party on February 2nd, known as Dia de la Candelaria.

Making this cake involves using fruits and nuts that have been stored since Christmas, ensuring they retain their freshness and flavor. This traditional cake marks the crowning glory of the Little Christmas feast in Mexico, bringing the long holiday season to a close with a flourish. 

Greece: Vasilopita, St. Basil’s Bread

The Greek tradition for Little Christmas involves a delightful treat known as Vasilopita, or St. Basil’s bread. This sweet bread, aromatic with orange zest and brandy, often has a coin baked into it for good fortune. The person lucky enough to find the coin in their slice is blessed with good luck for the year. 

Russia: Kutya, a Wheat Berry, Poppy Seed, and Honey Dessert

Russian Orthodox Christmas, coinciding with Little Christmas, is symbolized by a ritual dish named Kutya. This dessert, featuring wheat berries, poppy seeds, honey, and nuts, holds spiritual and festive significance. 

The wheat symbolizes hope and immortality, while honey and poppy seeds denote happiness, success, and peaceful rest. These ingredients make Kutya a delectable and healthy holiday treat to enjoy during the prolonged festive season.

France: Galette des Rois (King Cake)

In France, the end of the holiday season is marked by a piece of the Galette des Rois or King’s Cake on Little Christmas. This is a sumptuous puff pastry pie filled with creamy almond paste, often with a little ceramic figurine, or fève, hidden inside. Whoever finds the fève in their slice is declared the king or queen for the day. 

A Global Tour of Little Christmas Culinary Traditions

From Ireland’s comforting soups and stews to Italy’s festive cakes, and from Spain and Mexico’s crown-like cakes to Greece’s lucky bread, all are a testament to the season’s joy and tradition.

Whether it’s your first Little Christmas or a tradition you hold dear, may your holiday season be filled with the flavors of these globally-celebrated dishes. Here’s to a Little Christmas feast that’s a grand culmination to your festive celebrations!