BY MARTINE S.
December 13, 2019, 11:33 a.m.
Tis’ the season to drink kremas, eat Haitian patties, and be merry. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. When Haitian food is added to the mix, it is that much more exciting. In Haiti, we may not see the snowflakes flowing or tonton Noel coming down any chimneys (heck, we might not see that in other parts of the world either) but it doesn’t stop it from being one of the most joyous occasions.
What can we expect at a Haitian Christmas party?
Hosting a Christmas dinner can be stressful with all that goes into event planning, food prepping and so on. Whether you’re hosting a Haitian-style Christmas party, beginning a new tradition, or planning on bringing a dish, we have some tips to help get you on your way. We’ve compiled a few of our classic Haitian recipes that are sure to be hit on Christmas.
Haitian Kremas
At the top of the list of Haitian Christmas dishes, we’ll start you off with a batch of homemade Kremas. It’s a rich, creamy, coconut-infused flavor with just the right touch of rum.
Haitian Kremas (also spelled Cremas) is our version of the holiday eggnog or more like Puerto Rico’s coquito. We drink it all-year round but it’s even more popular during the holidays. It also makes for a really awesome Christmas gift!
Haitian Patties
If you can buy Haitian patties at the store, it will save you tons of time. But if there’s not a Haitian bakery store near you, don’t worry. We have your back.
You can make these delicious pastries right at home. This is an absolute must-have at any Haitian party but you’ll definitely want to have these at your Christmas event.
Diri Kole (Haitian Rice and Beans)
Next on the menu of Haitian Christmas dishes is Haitian rice and beans. It’s the focal point in the menu and this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to make Haitian rice and beans.
Bannann Peze (Fried Plantains)
In a traditional Haitian-style party, you can also look forward to bannann peze or fried plantains. It’s quick, easy, and it will add that extra flare of flavor to your Haitian style Christmas dinner.
Haitian Griot (Griyo)
If you’re a meat eater and love pork, then you’ll want to feast on some Haitian griot. This is fried pork with tons of flavor that will burst throughout your mouth.
Diri Djon Djon (Haitian Mushroom Rice)
Another popular rice dish is Haitian mushroom rice or Diri Djon Djon. It’s cooked with black mushrooms that are grown in Haiti. It’s often hard to find anywhere else which makes this dish even more extraordinary. Here’s our take on the Diri Djon Djon recipe.
Pen Patat
If you’re in the mood for some dessert, then you’ll want to feast on some delicious homemade pen patat (sweet potato pudding).
Macaroni au Gratin
Christmas dinner would not be complete without a warm plate of Haitian macaroni and cheese. The way my mom makes it is so scrumptious. It’s what dreams are made of. Whet your appetite and sink your teeth into a delicious, creamy, cheesy bite of Haitian Macaroni au Gratin.
Salade de Betteraves
At a Haitian-style Christmas dinner, you can expect to have Salade de Betteraves (beet salad). It is a “salade russe” type dish that is made with a mix of beets, carrots, potatoes and a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It is great for entertaining your guests but also makes for a great post-party snack.
Pikliz
We saved the best for last. Among this awesome list of Haitian Christmas dishes, the absolute must-have at your dinner party is Pikliz. It’s a mix of finely-shredded cabbage, carrots, green peas, peppers, and other ingredients marinated in vinegar. It’s hot, spicy and full of flavor.
Now you’re all set to enjoy these delicious and traditional Haitian dishes for Christmas. From our family to yours, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas!!
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