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On top of the many Christmas traditions in Colombia, the country also has its own Christmas menu when it comes to holiday food. Instead of gingerbread cookies and spiced wine, Colombia’s Christmas foods are a mix of sweet and salty with a lot of fried carbs, meat, breads and cheese.That sounds pretty representative of Colombia, if you ask me! So if this is your first Christmas in Colombia and you’re wondering what to expect when it comes to food, here are some typical Christmas bites you will see throughout the holidays in Colombia:

Natilla

Kind of like a firm milk pudding/Jell-O with raisins and topped with cinnamon powder. This sweet dessert is also served with hot chocolate and buñuelos. Natilla is typically eaten at novenas and shared with friends and family.

Buñuelo

Small, medium, and large, these fried balls of cheesy bread are pure goodness. As caloric as they could possibly be, inside is pure fluffiness. The real danger of having a buñuelo is that you can’t have just one! Pair these fried balls of perfection with other items on this list.

Torta negra

Your typical Christmas cake, full of spices such as nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, the torta negra has been Colombiafied (if that’s a word) with wine, raisins, prunes, and figs. If you like the flavor of other Christmas cakes around the world, then the torta negra is version 2.0.

Lechona

If you are vegetarian, you might want to stop right here. But for you meat-lovers out there, Christmas isn’t complete without a good ol’ lechona. Rice, and a bit of vegetables stuffed inside a whole pig, this greasy and tasty food is a sure crowd pleaser in Colombia.

Hot chocolate and cheese

Typical in the mountainous regions of Colombia, this is the perfect drink to warm you up and get you in the Christmas spirit. Although it is typically consumed during snack time the rest of the year, it is especially present during the Christmas season in Colombia.

Your hot chocolate will be served with a chunk of cheese on the side. Do not be afraid. Just place the cheese in the hot chocolate and let it melt. Scoop it out with a spoon and enjoy it with a delicious fried buñuelo!

Tamal

If you want something that is not so meat-heavy, then tamales are for you! Steamed chickpea flour filled with chicken, it also contains pork belly, carrots, peas, potatoes and a few other things. Accompany this heavy meal with a hot chocolate and you have got yourself a Colombian Christmas!

Tamales are personally my favorite as I don’t eat so much meat and I still get a good amount of veggies.

Are you ready to devour your way through Colombia this Christmas season? Learn about the best destinations and things to do in Colombia – whether it’s during the holiday season or any other time.

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