Around the world, some of the most meaningful holiday foods are the ones that bring everyone into the kitchen. Dough is rolled, fillings are spooned, and recipes are passed from one set of hands to another. The foods may be different, but the idea behind them feels familiar: good food has a way of bringing people together.
Tamales | Mexico
During the holiday season, families and friends gather for a tamalada, sharing the work of spreading masa onto corn husks, adding fillings and folding each tamal before steaming. With plenty of hands involved, a time-intensive recipe becomes an occasion of its own.
Bring It to the Table: Serve a variety of tamales with salsa, crema, fresh cilantro and lime so everyone can find a favorite.
Chin Chin | Nigeria
Across Nigeria and much of West Africa, chin chin is a Christmas staple, made in big batches so there’s enough to share with visiting family and neighbors throughout the season. The dough is rolled, cut into small diamonds or squares, and fried until golden and crisp—often with several people working through the pile together.
Bring It to the Table: Pack chin chin into tins or jars for edible gifts, or set out a bowl alongside other holiday sweets for guests to snack on.
Fresh Pasta | Italy
For generations, handmade pasta has turned meal preparation into time spent together in Italian households. During holidays and special gatherings, filled pastas such as ravioli, tortellini or cappelletti can become a family project, with dough rolled thin, fillings portioned, and each piece shaped by hand.
Bring It to the Table: Let filled pasta shine with browned butter and sage, finished with freshly grated Parmesan.
Pierogi | Poland
Pierogi are a traditional part of Wigilia, the Polish Christmas Eve meal. Making them is often a group effort: dough is rolled and cut, then wrapped around fillings such as potato and cheese, sauerkraut or mushrooms before boiling.
Bring It to the Table: Give pierogi a golden finish in a skillet and serve with caramelized onions and sour cream.
Dumplings | China
For many Chinese families, jiaozi are an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations, with family members gathering to fill, fold and pinch dumplings together. Their shape is associated with ancient Chinese gold ingots, making them a symbol of prosperity for the year ahead.
Bring It to the Table: Serve dumplings as a shared appetizer with dipping sauces, sliced green onions and chili crisp.
Traditions in the Making
What makes these foods special isn't only what goes into them. It's the time spent making them, the hands that help and the stories passed along in the process. Holiday cookies tell a version of this same story in miniature. In Germany, Lebkuchen bring warm spices, nuts and citrus to Christmas celebrations. In Greece, buttery kourabiedes are shaped and generously dusted with powdered sugar. And in Sweden, cutting pepparkakor into hearts, stars and other festive shapes can turn holiday baking into an activity everyone can join. This holiday season, invite someone into the kitchen. Make an old favorite, learn something new or—with a little help from our bakery and international aisles—start a tradition of your own.
