Holiday Traditions of Portugal

"Feliz Natal"

Christmas Celebrations in Portugal

On Christmas Eve, Portuguese families gather around the Christmas tree and the Crèche (Nativity scene) to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Catholicism is the main religion in Portugal, making the Crèche a central part of the holiday celebration. Traditionally, children are in charge of collecting materials to build the Crèche. While some families only display the three main figures—Infant Jesus, Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph—others create large, detailed scenes. These often include the Three Wise Kings, shepherds with sheep, lakes made with mirrors, and hills formed from stones, moss, and clay.

Letters to Infant Jesus

Instead of writing letters to Santa Claus, many Portuguese children write letters to Infant Jesus, asking for presents. This tradition highlights the religious aspect of Christmas in Portugal.

Midnight Mass and Christmas Eve Supper

Many families attend the Midnight Mass, called Missa do Galo. After the service, they gather for supper, known as Ceia de Natal. The Christmas Eve meal, called Consoada, traditionally consists of codfish with boiled potatoes and cabbage. Following the main meal, families enjoy an array of traditional desserts, which vary across regions.

Traditional Portuguese Christmas Desserts

• Filhoses or Filhós: Fried pumpkin dough.
• Rabanadas: Similar to French toast.
• Azevias: Round cakes made from a crust filled with a mixture of chickpeas, sugar, and orange peel.
• Aletria: A sweet vermicelli pudding made with eggs, typical of the Douro and Minho regions.
• Bolo Rei: A fruitcake traditionally eaten at New Year's but increasingly popular during Christmas. The cake contains two surprises: a small gift and a broad bean. The person who finds the bean must buy the Bolo Rei for the next year.

Carol Singing and Opening Presents

In some regions of Portugal, carolers sing Christmas songs, known as Janeiras, in the streets. As for gifts, some families open presents displayed around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, around midnight. Others wait until Christmas morning. In a unique tradition, children leave one of their shoes, called sapatinho, by the chimney or fireplace instead of hanging stockings.

Christmas Day Feast

On Christmas Day, families typically enjoy a lunch of stuffed turkey, followed by the traditional Christmas desserts mentioned above. Towns and cities across the country are beautifully decorated with lights during the holiday season.

The End of Festivities: Dia de Reis

The holiday festivities in Portugal come to a close on January 6, with the celebration of Dia de Reis (Epiphany), which commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Kings to the baby Jesus.

Holiday Traditions

Video by The Portuguese in Ireland

Portuguese Rabanadas (Portuguese-Style French Toast)

Ingredients:

• 1 French baguette (day-old, sliced into 1-inch thick slices)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for dusting)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, and cinnamon stick over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. In a shallow dish, beat the eggs and vanilla extract together.
3. Dip each bread slice into the milk mixture, then coat in the beaten egg mixture.
4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the soaked bread slices in batches, cooking for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
5. Place the fried rabanadas on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
6. Dust with ground cinnamon before serving.

Bolo Rei (King's Cake)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup port wine
• 1 cup candied fruits (chopped)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)
• 1 small toy or trinket (optional)
• 1 dried fava bean (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, eggs, butter, and port wine.
3. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Add the candied fruits, raisins, and nuts, and knead them into the dough.
4. If using, insert the small toy and dried fava bean into the dough. Shape the dough into a ring and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the dough with beaten egg for a golden finish.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and cooked through. Let cool before serving.

Filhós (Portuguese Pumpkin Doughnuts)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pumpkin (peeled and cubed)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Boil the pumpkin cubes in a pot of water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash the pumpkin until smooth. Let it cool.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, eggs, brandy (if using), and mashed pumpkin. Add the yeast mixture and knead the dough until smooth.
4. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Heat the oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil, frying in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Drain the filhós on paper towels, then dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar before serving.

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