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Nochebuena

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Nochebuena

Nochebuena is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve and celebrated on December 24 every year.

Contents

History

Nochebuena, for Latin American cultures, is often the biggest feast for the Christmas season and is the Spanish tradition annually. Nochebuena (literally "the Good Night") is the Spanish word for Christmas Eve. In Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines, the evening consists of a traditional family dinner. Roasted pig, or lechón is often the center of Nochebuena for feasts around the world. It is believed that the tradition dates back to the 15th century when Caribbean colonists hunted down pigs and roasted them whole as the family gathered for Christmas Eve.

Asia

  • In the Philippines, the traditional dinner comes at midnight after the family hears the late evening Mass known as Misa de Aguinaldo. Some of the more conventional dishes served for the main course include: lechón, pancit, sweet-tasting spaghetti, fried chicken, jamón, queso de bola, arróz caldo, lumpia, turkey, relyenong bangus (stuffed milkfish), adobo, steamed rice, and various breads such as pan de sal. Desserts include úbe halayá, bibingka, membrilyo, fruit salad, various rice- and flour-based cakes, ice cream, pastries and fruits, while popular beverages such as tsokolate as well as coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, and fruit juices accompany the feast.
  • Europe

  • In Spain, Nochebuena includes a dinner with family and friends. It is particularly common to start the meal with a seafood dish, followed by a bowl of hot homemade soup, and lamb or roasted pig. It is also common to have desserts such as turrón.
  • North America

  • In Cuban and Cuban-Floridian tradition, the pig is sometimes cooked in a Caja China, a large box where an entire pig is placed below hot coals. The dinner features many side dishes and desserts, and often games of dominos are played. The tradition is continued by Cuban families in Florida and the United States.
  • In New Mexico, la Nochebuena is celebrated by lighting luminarias and farolitos.
  • South America

  • Nochebuena is also celebrated on Christmas Eve with La Sangre de Navidad, and marks the final evening of the Posadas celebrations, in others a dinner is served with the family usually after attended the late Mass known as Misa de Gallo.
  • In Peru, a large, juicy turkey is the star for Noche Buena.
  • In Venezuela, hallacas are normally the staple dish for Noche Buena alongside of either ham or pork leg known as "pernil," , panettone, rum and "Ponche Crema" (a form of alcoholic eggnog). The night is usually accompanied by traditional Christmas music known as "aguinaldos;" in Venezuela, the traditional music is known as joropo.
  • The 2016 Elena of Avalor season one episode, "Navidad", focused on Nochebuena.

    References

    Nochebuena Wikipedia