Zoyla Rodriguez
Professor Merritt
English-111-804KG
29 June 2023
Comparison/contrast rough draft
Christmas is a time of celebration and tradition worldwide, with each country putting its unique spin on the holiday. In El Salvador, Christmas is celebrated with various traditional foods, while in Russia, the holiday is marked by a distinct set of culinary customs. Although both El Salvador and Russia have different Christmas food traditions, the two countries differ significantly in the types of foods they prepare and the cultural significance of these dishes.
One of the main dishes in a Salvadorean Christmas dinner is pan con pollo (bread and chicken). Other families make it with different meats, but my family has always used chicken.
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You make this type of cake by soaking a light and airy sponge cake in a mixture of three different types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. The cake will then have a rich and creamy texture that's moist and flavorful. My family typically tops it with whipped cream and a cherry. A dessert enjoyed on a Russian Christmas is called Pagach. It comprises a savory potato filling sandwiched between two layers of dough and baked until golden brown. You usually start by prepping the dough and the filling. The dough is made from flour, water, and salt and rolled into two large circles. The potato filling is made by boiling and mashing potatoes, then mixing them with sauteed onions, salt, and pepper. The filling is then spread onto one of the dough circles, and the second circle is placed on top. The edges of the dough are crimped together to seal the filling inside, and the Pagach is baked in the oven until it is golden brown and crispy. It can be enjoyed on its own or with sour cream or …show more content…
While both nations celebrate the holiday with traditional foods, the dishes differ significantly in ingredients and preparation. By exploring these differences, we gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways people around the world mark this particular time of year. Ultimately, the Christmas food traditions of El Salvador and Russia remind us of the power of food to connect us to our cultural heritage and bring us together in celebration.
Citations:
Coppolino, Andrew. "Salvadoran Sandwich Packs a Punch for the Holidays: Andrew Coppolino." CBC News, 12 Dec. 2020, www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5834236.
Garcia, Jorge. "Salvadoran Food: The 26 Tastiest Dishes of El Salvador." Amigo Foods, 9 Aug. 2022, blog.amigofoods.com/index.php/salvadoran-food/salvadoran-food/.
Drozhzhin, Natalya. "Russian Pelmeni (Meat Dumplings)." Momsdish, 6 Sept. 2021, momsdish.com/recipe/76/pelmeni.
Allen, Lauren. "Tres Leches Cake." Taste Better From Scratch, 23 May 2021, tastesbetterfromscratch.com/tres-leches-cake/.
Hamlin, V. L. "Russian Christmas Food Traditions." USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2018, traveltips.usatoday.com/russian-christmas-food-traditions-20287.html.
Martinez, Mely. "Ponche NavideñO Mexicano." Mexico in the Kitchen, 27 Nov. 2016,