If you thought Christmas was a big deal in the United States, you should see what they do in Mexico! In Mexico, Christmas is a prominent cultural event as well as a significant religious holiday. The celebration lasts for months, with the first events held on December 8th or 12th and the last on February 2nd. As you would expect with a major celebration like this, there are traditional foods associated with the Christmas holidays. These foods are different from what you’ll find at Mexican restaurants in Manchester, like Vallarta, but they show us a lot about Mexican culture.

Celebrate the holidays at Mexican restaurants in Manchester! Read on to learn about some traditional holiday foods.

To Start: Ensalada Nochebuena

Many of the offerings at a Mexican Christmas dinner are heavier fare, but ensalada Nochebuena is a lighter dish. This salad is filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables and topped with nuts and a creamy citrus dressing. Its name means “Christmas Eve salad,” referring to the day you eat it. Christmas Eve is celebrated with a big family meal after attending church services, so sometimes dinner isn’t served until midnight!

Have a Drink: Ponche Navideño and Rompope

Several seasonal beverages are associated with Christmas, but two of the most popular are ponche Navideño and rompope. Ponche is a warm fruit punch served with Christmas dinner. It’s a non-alcoholic beverage, so everyone at the table can enjoy it. Rompe is similar to eggnog spiked with rum. It’s a sweet, creamy drink that is delightful to sip while you enjoy the Christmas festivities.

For Dessert: Rosca de Reyes

As we mentioned, holiday celebrations begin early in December and continue into the start of February. One of the celebrations that falls within that time is Día de Reyes, the Day of the Kings, on January 6th. This holiday celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings or Three Wise Men to Bethlehem. The traditional dessert for this day is Rosca de Reyes, the Kings’ bread. It is a sweet bread baked in a circle or oval to represent a crown. The bread is decorated with dried fruit, and a tiny baby figurine is concealed inside. The figurine represents the baby Jesus, and whoever gets the slice with the figurine in it has to host the Candlemas celebration on February 2nd.

Gather your friends and family for a holiday celebration at Vallarta Mexican restaurants in Manchester! Visit one of our two locations or order online.