Every year begins and ends with a celebration that’s highlighted by gatherings with family and friends, greetings and exchanges of gifts. At the heart of these special occasions are food and feasting, the sharing of meals on the dinner table, the communal table, and the picnic table. The menu depends on the country, culture and time of year being celebrated.
New Year ushers in the beginning while also bidding good bye to the year that has ended. People gather to toast the New Year with food and drinks, sometimes bestowed with auspicious symbols of abundance, good health and luck. While technically not celebrated at the start of the calendar year, the Chinese New Year epitomizes the festivities and abundance wished upon the New Year. Find recipes for noodles, roasts, stuffings and other rich meals this time of the year.
In the United States, the Super Bowl Sunday is a special occasion filled with bowls and platters of food. While the seasonal football game was first played on January 15, 1967, the Super Bowl has been subsequently held in the early days of February. Buffalo wings, beer, and barbecues are just some of the celebratory food that weighs the dining and living room tables of every American home.
Specific holidays for the people we love the most—our parents—are set aside for them. For Mother’s Day, May is the month of flowers, cakes and heirloom dishes that our mothers taught us to make. For Father’s Day, gifts of shirt ties, socks, and other fatherly presents are given in June. For these special occasions, a special luncheon or dinner is called for and so we have recipe suggestions here to help you out.
Easter, celebrated between March 22 and April 25, marks the end of the Holy Week in the Christian world. To kids and kids at heart, it’s Easter eggs, carrot cakes and bright cupcakes galore. Come St. Patrick’s Day in March, the cupcakes turn green and so are the tables laden with traditionally held Irish food like corned beef and cabbage served with Irish stouts, beers, and ales.
Memorial Day rolls in on the last Monday of May, in remembrance of the men and women who fought under the United States Armed Forces. A federal holiday, to revelers, it’s time to bring out the grill for a fun day with barbecues and other delights. The same barbecues also make an appearance when the American Fourth of July celebrations come in.
In neighboring Canada, July first is Canada Day, which means barbecues, burgers, and beers also for Canadians, aside from their traditional foods such as the poutine and butter tart.
Amidst all these feastings, our Muslim brethren observe the Ramadan on the ninth month of the lunar calendar (around July or August). Fasting for the whole day is practiced in Islam but after sunset, families and the whole community gather to partake of the Iftar dinner as a way to break the day’s fast.
The month of summer bring about different menus and recipes as well. Summer though depends on the country, climate and cultural traditions.
From November onwards, many countries and cultures have various feasts to celebrate as well. From Halloween and Thanksgiving to Hanukkah, Diwali and Christmas.
