Mouth-Watering Christmas Foods To Try in Rio

Turkey or Chester

Aromatic turkey for Christmas dinner is a real delight for both the eyes and the palate. The main Christmas meal is usually turkey served with roasted potatoes, farofa, and vegetables soaking in a pool of rich gravy. Chester is another festive favourite; a breed of chicken characterized by a large quantity of breast meat, it is bred to be low in fat and high in protein, which makes it a wondrous Christmas treat that is lean on your stomach.

Farofa (Seasoned Manioc Flour)

Farofa, Credit: Carioca / CC BY-SA 3.0

Farofa is consumed throughout the year, but during Christmas, it works as a delicious accompaniment with turkey. It is a crunchy garnish made from cassava root flour, which makes your Christmas dinner even more appetizing. The ingredients and spices vary depending on whether you like it savoury or sweet but we love both varieties.

Bacalhau (Codfish)

Credit: CC / Glane23

Salted cod (bacalhau) makes an appearance on special occasions in Rio, and Christmas is just the perfect time to enjoy this dish. You will find this fish rolled into bite-size pieces and deep-fried into balls called Bolinhos de Bacalhau.

Panettone

Dessert-lovers will love this popular Christmas dessert called Panettone. The dessert is a loaf of Italian sweet bread often baked with dried fruit or chocolate. You can find the dessert easily at Rio’s supermarkets, and it makes an excellent gift option.

Rabanadas

Credit: CC / Jonathunder

Treat yourself to some delicious Rabanada (French toasts equivalent), one of the most widely loved desserts in Rio. This dessert is made with bread soaked briefly, fried, and then sprinkled generously with cinnamon sugar. It may be served warm or cold and tastes divine.