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The holiday season is a time for family gatherings for Filipinos. Many of these things are represented by holiday foods, but have you ever celebrated Christmas without your favorite dish to eat? Or are you the host of the event but are unsure of what to prepare?
Well, make sure to include these 7 Christmas dishes that will surely make your Christmas season here in Bataan joyful as ever!
#1 QUESO DE BOLA
This cheese dessert is an important part of Noche Buena or the midnight feast on Christmas Eve. Due to its symbolic meaning—it comes in rounds to signify wealth or money, and its red rind to signify good fortune—it is a part of both Bataeño and Filipino tradition to always have this prepared on the table.
#2 HAMON
How can this not be present on your Christmas Eve? This Ham is the much-coveted and must-have centerpiece in a Bataan-style Noche Buena! The round shape of the ham is believed to bring good fortune in every Bataeños and you’ll definitely not want to miss this Hamon de Bola this Christmas!
#3 LECHON
Lechon is Bataan’s most delicious Christmas tradition. It’s a tradition to have a whole Lechon sitting in the middle of a table during Christmas. Who wouldn’t anticipate a crunchy skin and tender meat during your Noche Buena?
#4 FRUIT/BUKO SALAD
After eating heavy foods, who will not seek for some mouth-watering dessert? Whether it is fruit salad or buko salad, you will not want to miss either of them! This is a must in a Bataeño’s Christmas menu for the perfect celebration.
#5 SHANGHAI
This dish is the most important dish for a Bataeño. If there is no Shanghai, who will enjoy a Noche Buena? Shanghai may not look that important, but trust me, everyone will surely look for it in your dinner.
#6 PANCIT
Pancit is just one of those many flavorful noodle dishes served during Christmas in Bataan. Every Nanays, Titas, and Lolas will surely look for it for it symbolizes long life. So make sure to include this in your must-have foods during your Noche Buena!
#7 FILIPINO STYLE SPAGHETTI
Filipino style spaghetti is a perfectly satisfying must-have dish on Christmas Eve for every Bataeños. Typically during this season, you’ll see platters of spaghetti and the children will surely look for it!
These foods have long been associated with culture, history, and tradition. Therefore, if you want to have the perfect “Paskong Bataeño” celebration, including these dishes and cooking them should be at the top of your list of things to try to keep the Christmas spirit alive!
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