Christmas is a special holiday in Greece that is dedicated to family and good friends. Traditionally Greeks do not celebrate Christmas Eve in the way the Western world does.
The center of attention is lunch on Christmas day depending on where you are in the country you will most definitely see different dishes served and enjoyed.
Pork though, cooked in different ways, plays a major role almost all over the country.
Turkey has, of course, made its appearance in many many Greek homes but this is just an influence of modern years and has not much to do with the tradition.
Christmas Lunch starts early and it can last for much longer than expected if the mood is right which usually is.
As per tradition, everyone gathers at the house of the grandparents or at the elder member of the family house who can be an uncle or an aunt.
And at this gathering, the extended family is present along with close friends.
In Corfu
Corfiots to this day enjoy a delicious Avgolemono Soup usually made of turkey and a pork roast stuffed with a little bit of garlic, salt, and pepper.
Needless to say that local products like numbulo and salami have a prominent place on the table.
In Ioannina and the region of Epirus
The locals enjoy giaprakia also known as lachanodolmades (cabbage leaves rolls stuffed with rice and minced meat).
Up in Zagoria, the housewives prepare their famous pies that are all to die for.
In Mykonos
In the past Mykonians used to cook and enjoy pork lard with greens or cabbage. It symbolizes abundance.
Other dishes include oven-roasted meat, onion pie with local “cheese” and gingerbread with cheese, honey, and cinnamon.
It has been a few years since we have not been in Mykonos for Christmas so things may have changed…
In Aetoloakarnania
Pork is the king of Christmas. At most homes, you can taste their famous kontosouvli.
Always grilled on the spit at the fireplace that resembles a lot to a giant souvlaki.
Homemade sausages, cheese, freshly baked bread, and salads or pies, are also present everywhere.
In Crete
Similarly to Aetoloakarnania and many more parts of Greece, pork was also the main dish for Christmas Lunch.
As for Dessert
Kourabiedes and Melomakarona are the most popular. But in Crete and in Peloponnese Diples are a must.