Turkey? Or the centrepiece dish?

[crazycanuck]

We're doing a bbq on Christmas day w friends.

Mmmmm...Bbq followed by a dip in the pool Very nice when it's forecasted to be 36C

[zoom-zoom]

Growing up we would usually have a few favorite items...lasagne, steak, and boiled shrimp in the shell. I don't recall ever having anything more labor-intensive than that, since it was typically just mom, dad, and the 3 of us kids (grandparents usually were in Florida...snowbirds).

[channlluv]

We don't do a formal Christmas dinner, either. I make a big crockpot of my All-day Chili and people help themselves as they arrive. There's a banquet of homemade cookies, cakes and pies, too. There are never leftovers, thank goodness.

Roxy

[papaver]

I have to cook for twelve this Friday and on Thursday for 6. But no turkey either.

[shootingstar]

I have to cook for twelve this Friday and on Thursday for 6. But no turkey either.

I perceived turkey as more of North American tendency, that is for those who choose to observe Christmas or choose to eat meat.

In his family, his mother had goose or duck. Which sounds elegant to turkey eaters here but not unusual if one thinks about the types of farmed birds common in some European countries.

Turkey is just alien to traditional Asian cuisine. Seriously, take a look at any traditional (not fusion) Asian cuisine recipe book.

I've never seen it on a traditional menu in restaurants.

So really, my parents encountered turkey for the lst time when they came Canada.

[papaver]

Yep lot's of goose and duck here too...

[salsabike]

Dungeness crab and steamer clams. We do the Christmas dinner for my husband's family here, and that's what we do every year. Big hit.

There is no Hanukkah dinner that I have ever heard of, unless individuals have started their own unique tradition. It's actually a pretty minor holiday. The main Jewish holiday is Passover, and that does have a dinner with a variety of dishes that have symbolic importance.