In this article, I will discuss Filipino Holiday Special Dishes. These are festive foods for every Filipino family celebration.
From the crispy Lechon to the sweet Ensaymada, every dish is packed with flavors representative of Filipino traditions.
During the holiday season, every Filipino family enjoys these foods and creates memories with them.
Key Points & Filipino Holiday Special Dishes
| Dish | Key Point / Description |
|---|---|
| Lechon | Whole roasted pig; crispy skin and juicy meat; centerpiece of celebrations. |
| Hamon | Sweet, cured ham; often glazed; popular during Christmas and New Year. |
| Lumpiang Shanghai | Deep-fried spring rolls filled with pork and vegetables; party favorite. |
| Chicken Relleno | Stuffed whole chicken with seasoned meat and vegetables; served at festive occasions. |
| Caldereta | Tomato-based beef stew with potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers; rich and savory. |
| Kare-Kare | Peanut-based oxtail or beef stew; traditionally served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). |
| Callos | Spanish-influenced tripe stew with chorizo and bell peppers; hearty and flavorful. |
| Embutido | Filipino-style meatloaf with ground pork, vegetables, and sometimes egg; often steamed or baked. |
| Pancit Malabon | Noodle dish with thick rice noodles, seafood, and shrimp sauce; festive and colorful. |
| Ensaymada | Soft, sweet, buttery brioche topped with sugar and cheese; popular for Christmas. |
10 Filipino Holiday Special Dishes
1. Lechon
Lechon is uniquely Filipino. This dish is primarily served during special occasions like Christmas and birthday parties.
Whole pigs are roasted over charcoal and cooked until the pig’s skin is crispy and the meat is sufficiently tender and juicy.
Traditionally, the inserted stuffing consists of lemongrass, garlic, and onions. This dish is served with either a liver sauce or vinegar.
The social preparation for roasting lechon is another reason why lechon remains a popular festive dish in the Philippines.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Whole pig | Main protein, centerpiece of the dish |
| Lemongrass | Stuffing for aroma and flavor |
| Garlic | Stuffing, adds flavor |
| Onions | Stuffing, enhances aroma |
| Salt & pepper | Seasoning |
| Soy sauce | Optional marinade |
| Vinegar | Optional basting or dipping sauce |
2. Hamon
In the Philippines, Christmas is not complete without hamon. Typically this sweet ham is boiled or baked followed by a smothering of a sugar, pineapple, or honey glaze, which is then baked again until caramelized.
Sliced hamon is served warm or cool, and is typically accompanied with rice, bread, and assorted holiday side dishes.
The light sweetness of hamon balances the holiday table, which is primarily filled with savory dishes. Sharing hamon is a reflection of Filipino hospitality, and festive spirit.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Ham (pork leg) | Main ingredient |
| Brown sugar | Sweet glaze |
| Pineapple juice | Adds sweetness and moisture |
| Honey | Optional glaze |
| Cloves | Aromatic flavoring |
| Mustard | Optional for serving |
3. Lumpiang Shanghai
Lumpiang Shanghai is a Filipino-style spring roll filled with a mixture of ground pork, onions, carrots, and seasonings.
Rolled in a thin wrapper and deep-fried until golden and crispy, it is a favorite finger food at parties and holiday feasts.
Often served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce or vinegar, it is adored by both kids and adults.
Preparing it is usually a joint effort, with family members rolling the spring rolls in unison, making it not only delightful but also a source of togetherness during the holidays.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Ground pork | Main filling |
| Carrots | Adds texture and sweetness |
| Onion | Adds flavor |
| Garlic | Flavoring |
| Salt & pepper | Seasoning |
| Spring roll wrappers | Outer layer for frying |
| Oil | For deep frying |
4. Chicken Relleno
Chicken Relleno is a festive dish where a whole chicken is stuffed with a mixture of seasoned ground meat, vegetables, nuts, and sometimes sausage or raisins.
The stuffed chicken is either roasted or fried until golden brown, creating a beautiful and flavorful centerpiece for holiday gatherings.
The dish represents abundance and creativity, showcasing the Filipino knack for combining flavors and textures.
Served with rich sauces or gravy, Chicken Relleno is often prepared for Christmas, New Year, and special family occasions, making it a celebratory favorite.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Whole chicken | Main protein |
| Ground pork or beef | Stuffing |
| Carrots | Part of stuffing |
| Bell peppers | Part of stuffing |
| Raisins | Adds sweetness |
| Nuts (optional) | Adds texture |
| Garlic & onion | Flavoring |
| Oil | For roasting/frying |
5. Caldereta
Caldereta is a rich and hearty Filipino beef stew prepared during holidays and family celebrations. It is prepared with beef chunks, tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives.
The stew is comforting and savory. Some variations contain liver spread, which adds extra richness. Caldereta’s meat is tender because the stew is slow-cooked.
The vibrant taste and appearance of Caldereta makes it ideal for festive celebrations, and it is often paired with rice.
The preparation of Caldereta is a sign of Filipino warmth and generosity, as it is intended to be shared with family and friends.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Beef chunks | Main protein |
| Tomato sauce | Base for stew |
| Potatoes | Adds texture |
| Carrots | Adds sweetness |
| Bell peppers | Flavor and color |
| Liver spread (optional) | Adds richness |
| Garlic & onions | Flavoring |
| Olive or pickles | Adds tanginess |
6. Kare-Kare
Kare-Kare is a Filipino stew that is prepared with oxtail, tripe, or beef and a rich peanut sauce. Vegetables like eggplant, string beans, and banana blossom are thrown in, which makes this a colorful and hearty dish.
Along with the peanut sauce, it is served with bagoong, which is a fermented shrimp paste. The salty shrimp paste serves as a contrast to the creamy peanut sauce.
Kare-Kare is prepared for Christmas, fiestas, or special family events. Along with the special events it’s unique taste and festive appearance is the reason it is a favorite centerpiece and a representation of Filipino culinary heritage.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Oxtail, beef, or tripe | Main protein |
| Peanut butter | Base of sauce |
| Eggplant | Vegetable |
| String beans | Vegetable |
| Banana blossom | Vegetable |
| Garlic & onions | Flavoring |
| Bagoong (shrimp paste) | Served as condiment |
7. Callos
Callos is a stew made with tender beef tripe, chorizo, and bell peppers, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. The dish is a fusion of Filipino and Spanish cuisines.
The savory, slightly spicy, and mildly tangy flavors, mixed with the richness of the sauce, create a delightful dish for the palate.
Callos is traditionally made during the holidays and for family gatherings, as it embodies the hearty and comforting qualities of a festive dish, often served with steamed rice or bread.
The Spanish colonial history of the Philippines is reflected in Callos, as it uses local ingredients and cooking techniques.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Beef tripe | Main ingredient |
| Chorizo | Adds flavor and spice |
| Bell peppers | Adds color and taste |
| Tomato sauce | Base of stew |
| Garlic & onions | Flavoring |
| Olive or pickles | Optional, adds tanginess |
8. Embutido
Embutido is the Filipino version of meatloaf made with ground pork, mixed with vegetables, raisins, eggs, and sometimes sausage or ham.
The mixture is tightly rolled in aluminum foil or banana leaves, then steamed or baked. Once sliced, it reveals a colorful cross-section that looks as festive as it tastes.
Embutido is a popular dish for Christmas and New Year celebrations, often served as a main course or appetizer.
Its preparation is a family activity, symbolizing togetherness, while its rich flavors and versatility make it a beloved holiday treat.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Ground pork | Main protein |
| Carrots | Adds sweetness and texture |
| Bell peppers | Adds color |
| Raisins | Adds sweetness |
| Eggs | Binding and decoration |
| Sausage or ham | Adds flavor |
| Garlic & onion | Flavoring |
| Aluminum foil / banana leaves | For rolling and steaming |
9. Pancit Malabon
Pancit Malabon is a Filipino delicacy with thick rice noodles that is served with shrimp sauce and is topped with various seafood like shrimp, squid, and smoked fish flakes.
It includes boiled eggs, vegetables, and crushed chicharrón. This dish is served on holidays and birthdays, and is representative of long life and prosperity.
It is also vibrant colored, which helps with decorations on festive occasions. The combination of a little salt, savory, and umami flavors, makes it a dish loved on festive occasions.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| Thick rice noodles | Main base |
| Shrimp | Seafood topping |
| Squid | Seafood topping |
| Smoked fish flakes | Flavor |
| Boiled eggs | Garnish |
| Vegetables (cabbage, etc.) | Adds texture |
| Shrimp sauce / fish sauce | Seasoning |
| Crushed chicharrón | Topping for crunch |
10. Ensaymada
Ensaymada is one of the most popular Filipino Christmas pastries that is soft, sweet, and buttery. The light and fluffy bun is topped with sugar and grated cheese, which adds to the indulgence.
This pastry is Spanish inspired, and is frequently had with a warm drink like coffee or hot chocolate. It is shared in families, sold in bakeries, and given as gifts during the holiday season.
The light and sweet taste, as well as the festive look of the pastry, brings warmth and joy during Filipino holiday celebrations.
| Ingredient | Purpose / Note |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Base of dough |
| Butter | Richness, flavor |
| Sugar | Sweetness |
| Eggs | Structure and richness |
| Milk | Moisture |
| Yeast | Leavening agent |
| Grated cheese | Topping |
| Additional butter & sugar | Topping |
Conlcsuion
In conclusion, the Christmas holiday special dishes manifest the plethora of the Filipino culture.
The dishes also bring remembered delectables that rekindle communion, reflected in streams of overflowing and bounteous holiday meals.
Every constitutional festive occasion is also social and collectively gregarious with the traditions of the land being embraced and shared as every social people’s holiday construction is also enlivened by delectable preserved festive memories.
FAQ
What is Lechon?
Lechon is a whole roasted pig with crispy skin, often served as the centerpiece of Filipino celebrations.
What makes Hamon special?
Hamon is a sweet, cured ham, glazed with sugar or honey, popular during Christmas and New Year.
What is Lumpiang Shanghai?
A Filipino-style spring roll filled with ground pork and vegetables, deep-fried until golden and crispy.
What is Chicken Relleno?
A stuffed whole chicken with seasoned meat and vegetables, often roasted or fried for festive occasions.
What is Ensaymada?
A soft, sweet, buttery bread topped with sugar and cheese, enjoyed during holidays and celebrations.