Christmas fifty

In the spirit of the Omnivore's Hundred, the Very Good Taste bloggers bring us the Christmas Fifty and in the spirit of all that is right and good in this world, I'm in! Some research is involved in figuring out what many of the items are, so its quite a lot of fun - if you're a foodie like me (yes, I love my shoes, but I make up for it in being a pretty damn good cook, so there!).

Here’s what to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve tasted.
3) Place an asterisk after all the items you’ve cooked/prepared.
4) Optional: Italic anything you never want to try, or add an exclamation mark after anything your really want to try.

You’re also welcome to post a link to your version of the list at http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/.

The VGT Christmas Fifty

1. Crystallised or candied fruits
2. Egg nog (recently had a frozen version, fab!)
3. Bûche de Noël, or Yule log
4. Rum balls
5. Bebinca (!)
6. Roasted chestnuts (!)
7. Cavallucci
8. Tourtière
9. Uszka
10. Port & Stilton
11. Hallaca
12. Roast goose
13. Lefse
14. Sugar plums
15. Romeritos (!)
16. Pinnekjøtt
17. Hot toddy *
18. Christmas cake
19. Tamales
20. Sorpotel
21. Panettone
22. Candy canes
23. Pasteles
24. Speculaas
25. Makowiec
26. Christmas pudding
27. Stollen *
28. Figgy pudding
29. Lebkuchen
30. Turrón
31. Mince pies
32. Wassail bowls
33. Buñuelos
34. Pio Quinto (!)
35. Marzipan fruits
36. Mulled wine *
37. King cake
38. Christmas beach barbecue *
39. Cola de mono (!)
40. Lutefisk
41. Kutia
42. Pizzelle (!)
43. Dominostein (!)
44. Cranberry sauce
45. Pfeffernüsse
46. Satsumas or clementines
47. Pumpkin pie
48. Smalahove
49. Nut roast
50. Brandy butter

Obviously this is a very European heavy list, based on most Christian - orientated countries, but remains interesting. Over here in sunny South Africa, we tend to mix it up with tradtional European recipies and a good old 'braai' (bbq - sort of) and a mass of cold side dishes.

If you post your own Christmas Fifty, leave a link to your post in the comments.