Traditional Guatemalan Christmas Food: 4 Dishes You Should Try

When we talk about Christmas, a few delightful thoughts or memories may come to mind. Very often one of them will be the festivities that arrive with the holiday season and all the fantastic food that is served during this most wonderful time of the year. In Guatemala, Christmas food fare is famous for its Mayan roots, Spanish cuisine, and many other influences. Read our list of some of the most delicious traditional Guatemalan food prepared and enjoyed throughout the Christmas season.

Chiles Rellenos

Photo by jpellgen (@1179_jp) | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Chiles rellenos, or stuffed peppers, are a popular inclusion on Guatemalan Christmas tables, but also a dish that is made all year round. This traditional Guatemalan food can be more extravagantly prepared during Christmas when households vary the recipe from chiles stuffed with minced meat, carrots, and green beans. This standard recipe is often customized with other great mixtures that will make the chiles the real star of the night.

Buñuelos

Another great treat for the holidays in a Guatemalan Christmas food fare setting is the buñuelos. This is a type of bread that has been deep-fried and then served with syrup and sugar. It’s often associated with everyone’s favorite breakfast food, French toast, and once you try it, it’s sure to become one of your favorite Christmas treats.

Fried Plantains

Photo by Charles Haynes | CC BY-SA 2.0

Plantains may be associated closely with Africa but Guatemala is not lagging far behind when it comes to growing them. They can actually be fried as is or you can make them into rellenitos, a variation where the plantain is stuffed with black beans before they go into the fryer. Fried plantains are a tasty food that is perfect for any Christmas gathering.

Dobladas

Source: Hispanic Food Network

Dobladas are Guatemala’s very own take on the famous tortillas. A traditional Guatemalan doblada is filled with ground pork, mashed potatoes, cheese, and whole beans, but if you want a different taste or texture in the filling, you can always ask for any ingredient to be added to it. Another way to make them true to the Christmas spirit is to combine loroco flowers with cheese. Loroco flowers are native to Guatemala and other countries in Central America and can add a delicious crunch to the dish. Dobladas are cooked the same way as tortillas where both sides are heated or sometimes they are fried using a comal, a kind of griddle made from clay.

The Christmas Breakfast

To start your day right and really get a taste of traditional Guatemalan food, you have to try Guatemalan Christmas breakfast. Commonly included are tamales and some sweet treats like desserts. Others include healthy fruits like apples and grapes for the breakfast on Christmas Day. To complete the breakfast list, ponche, a fruit punch, or the traditional hot chocolate drink is also included.

Celebrate Christmas in Guatemala and enjoy the treats mentioned above! You can also try to look for other great dishes that will be perfect for this time of the year. Eat to your heart’s content and experience Christmas like never before!

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