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Christmas in Argentina
by Beatriz
Argentina is in the southern part of South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay.
In Christmas time Argentines are in summer, for which the foreigner would say, that local customs are quite different from European Seasons'. This is not certainly so, since most of Argentine population is descendant from immigrants, mostly Italians and Spaniards, who brought along their traditions to this land of promise.
You can therefore still find in the Argentine table many specialties such as turrones (hard block of almonds/peanuts and honey), chestnuts, almonds and nuts proper of countries for which Christmas means snow and cold temperatures. Until not a long time ago, families used to gather on Nochebuena and New Year's Eve around the celebration table, and stay as guests until next day, when pasta, mainly ravioli and capelletti, was a must, even if the temperature showed 34°C!
Nowadays Argentine tables shows a great variety of cold dishes, among which we may find grilled or roasted chicken, vithel tonné, peceto (beef tender cut) and suckling pig, accompanied by tomates rellenos and ensalada rusa.* In the countryside families also celebrate with turnover pies and the typical barbecue. As desserts you will usually find fruit salad, ice-cream and custard. Midnight toast will not be such unless there is champagne, cider and pan dulce*. A good dinner deserves good wines, and Argentines count on many options of local production. There is also a typical summer drink : its name is "clericó" and it is a mixture of wine and natural fruit cut into pieces plus ice. Nevertheless beer is also a very common drink.
Like in many parts of the world, the Christmas tree is a symbol of the Season and its decoration is very much enjoyed by children. In the days previous to December 24th, presents start being placed around the tree, to be opened only just after 12 PM. Fireworks then illuminate the Argentine sky and the good weather allows looking at them from the gardens of the neighborhoods or from the balconies in the city.
Friendship is a very important value in Argentina, and after Christmas Eve many couples visit their friends or gather in their houses. Youngest people also meet friends after the celebration and they go to discos and pubs.
In spite of being a society open to every creed, most Argentine population is Catholic. Religious services count on the attendance of many believers, who meet at churches before dinner. Every year Argentines renew their hope for a better world, a healthier country and labor, and commit themselves to solidarity with the poorest, a praiseworthy asset which has become characteristic of Argentine society.
* Tomates rellenos : tomatoes cut in half and filled in with pieces of potatoes, carrots, tuna and mayonnaise.
Ensalada rusa: cold salad. Its ingredients are small pieces of boiled potatoes, carrots, eggs and peas with the addition of mayonnaise.
Pan dulce : baked pudding with dry fruits specially eaten at Christmas time. It is the equivalent to Italian panettone.
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IP卡
狗仔卡
楼主
发表于 2004-12-23 12:09:00
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