Tradições de Natal: a ceia de Natal

1. A NOSSA CEIA E DOCES DE NATAL
OUR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AND CHRISTMAS DESSERTS
Tradicionalmente, as famílias reúnem-se no dia 24 de dezembro, e à mesa do jantar
servem-se pratos de bacalhau cozido, batatas, ovo cozido e couve com azeite quente
com alhos e vinagre servido à parte. Em alguns lares já começa a servir-se o peru assado
e outros pratos de carne que eram saboreados nos dias seguintes.
Traditionally, families get together on the 24th December and for dinner we eat boiled
codfish, potatoes, eggs and cabbage that is served with warm olive oil, garlic and
vinegar. In some homes, people are beginning to serve roast turkey and other meat
dishes that used to be served on Christmas day.

3. OS NOSSOS DOCES DE NATAL
OUR CHRISTMAS DESSERTS
Bolo-rei: Um dos doces mais apreciados do Natal é redondo, tem forma de coroa e
um buraco no meio. O bolo-rei tem uma massa fofa com frutos secos e fruta
cristalizada. Ele é tradicionalmente consumido entre o Natal e o Dia de Reis (6 de
janeiro). Assim, dizem que a cor da massa se refere ao ouro, as frutas cristalizadas a
mirra e o perfume ao incenso.
Bolo-rei (King Cake): one of the most appreciated traditional Christmas cakes is
round, shaped like a crown with a hole in the middle. It consists of soft dough with
dried and crystalized fruit. It is traditionally eaten between Christmas and the
Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day (6th January). People say the colour of the crust
symbolizes gold, the dried and crystalized fruit represents myrrh and the aroma of
this cake symbolizes incense.
https://www.pingodoce.pt/wp-
content/uploads/2016/11/comofazerbolore
i617.jpg

4. Rabanadas/Fatias Douradas: feito com fatias de pão molhadas em leite ou calda de
açúcar, ovo e depois fritas, eram feitas pela necessidade de aproveitar o pão. Servem-
se polvilhadas com açúcar de canela.
Rabanadas/Fatias Douradas (a kind of french toast): is make of slices of bread dipped
in egg and milk or melted sugar and then fried. They were made out of the need to use
stale bread. They are served sprinkled with sugar and ground cinnamon.
http://tasteoflisboa.com/fotos/image/files/Rabanada-diet1.jpg

5. Filhoses: São feitos à base de farinha e ovos, por vezes abóbora e raspa de laranja, fritos
em azeite. Servem-se polvilhados com açúcar e canela.
Filhoses (fried pumpkin cakes): They are made of flour and eggs, pumpkin and orange
zest, fried in olive oil. They are served sprinkled with sugar and ground cinnamon.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFycedomahs/UpMLMKKxUNI/AAAAAAAAB7s/74jN3Mx1tOc/s320/011.JPG

6. Sonhos: Doces típicos de Natal de forma arredondada, com uma tonalidade alaranjada
e o interior amarelado. A massa inclui leite, casca de limão, farinha e ovos, que se frita
em óleo quente. No final polvilham-se com açúcar, canela ou com calda.
Sonhos (Christmas “Dreams” or Portuguese doughnuts): These small light doughnuts
are a Christmas specialty. The dough is made of milk, lemon peel, flour and eggs and
they are fried in very hot oil. They can be sprinkled with ground cinnamon and sugar or
covered in sugar syrup.
http://www.docesregionais.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Sonhos-de-Sonho.jpg

7. Aletria doce: aletria cozida à qual se adiciona leite, açúcar e gemas de ovos. Enfeita-se
com canela.
Aletria doce (Portuguese sweet pasta dessert): angel hair pasta cooked in milk and
sugar to which you add beaten egg yolks. It is sprinkled with ground cinnamon.
http://keeprecipes.com/sites/keeprecipes/files/imagecache/recipe_large/aletria_doce_portugal.jpg

8. Arroz doce: É preparado com arroz, água, sal, leite, casca de limão, canela em pau e em
pó para polvilhar, açúcar e gemas de ovos.
Arroz doce (Portuguese rice pudding): It is made of rice, water, salt, milk, lemon peel,
cinnamon stick, sugar, egg yolks and sprinkles with ground cinnamon.
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIm5ILCZ3sQ/VNUQl1bEW1I/AAAAAAAASRo/j_pxkSFMHWw/s1600/arroz.JPG

9. Formigos do Minho ou Mexidos: doce de travessa típico do
Natal minhoto e trasmontano composto de açúcar, fatias de pão, amêndoas, uvas
secas, pinhões, ovos, vinho do Porto e canela.
Formigos do Minho ou Mexidos (there is no English translation for this dessert): It is a
typical Christmas dessert that is very popular in Northern Portugal, especially in Minho
and Trás-os-Montes. It is made of slices of stale bread, sugar, almonds, raisins, pine nuts,
port wine and ground cinnamon.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_wgmEKFDQg/Tv5NSTiUUiI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Bng6RE3V7ls/s320/DSCN0767.JPG