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Food and the holidays go together like, well, turkey and stuffing.
From Tiny Timâs Christmas pudding to the classic Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes, celebrating the season means sharing good things to eat with friends and family.
That becomes a little harder if you are trying to run a restaurant during a pandemic.
Area restaurateurs have had an up-and-down struggle since businesses were slammed with the stateâs stay-at-home orders in March.
Many survived on takeout or delivery orders and then, over the summer, some were able to take advantage of warmer weather to offer outdoor dining. After that, they were able to ease into a period where the state allowed larger parties â up to 10 people â to dine together.
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Vanessa Jackson, a clerk at Hil-Maks Seafood Market, waits on Roman Vencill during the Christmas Eve rush at the Ashtabula establishment on Thursday morning.
WARREN DILLAWAY | Star Beacon
Gianpiero Piras, left, picks up a fish order at Hil-Maks Seafood Market on Thursday morning in Ashtabula. Alexis Newsome, an owner, center, and clerk Vanessa Jackson waited on Piras and dozens of other customers look for that special fish dish.
WARREN DILLAWAY | Star Beacon
Vanessa Jackson, a clerk at Hil-Maks Seafood Market waits on a customer during the Christmas Eve rush at the Ashtabula establishment on Thursday morning.
WARREN DILLAWAY | Star Beacon
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Shadonna is skipping the turkey and going for a seafood dinner, steak, and some side dishes. (Ximena Conde/WHYY)
Jenni Ramos will have the Mexican flag on her plate this Christmas Eve. The pozole she’s making will have white corn, green lettuce, and red radishes sprinkled over the top. A winter tradition, the dish will be how she’ll get a hint of normalcy this holiday.
Her family is in Mexico, which, like the U.S., has been ravaged by the pandemic. Her husband’s family is in New Jersey which feels just as far away, thanks to travel restrictions.
Christmas Continental: Food Traditions Around The World
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As with cuisine in general, Christmas meals look different around the world and reflect the customs and culture of a country’s people. Thanks to the literary world (looking at you, Dickens) and television, American and Eurocentric images of traditional Christmas practices and food continue to dominate the landscape. Whether influenced by religious beliefs or long-held cooking traditions, there is no such thing as a typical Christmas meal. Grab your culinary passport and get ready to continent-hop and add these unique dishes to your Yuletide menu.
Africa - Braai and Malva Pudding (South Africa)