Christmas Eve, Nochebuena, marks the final evening of the Posadas celebrations in Mexico, and usually includes a big family dinner late in the evening, some families attend a midnight mass and dinner follows! Traditional foods include Ensalada de Noche Buena, a colorful salad containing lettuce and beets, and may include apples, carrots, oranges, pineapple, jicama, pecans and pomegranate seeds as a garnish. Tamales and Posole can also be on the menu, and don't forget the Ponche Navideno a Mexican hot fruit punch.
At El Palmar we hosted our own traditional Nochebuena including Roasted Chicken, stuffing made by one of our guests, traditional gravy, Baked potatoes, cranberry sauce, several salads, Christmas cake made by the French baker in Barra, ice cream for the kids (big and little), and a host of botanas (appetizers.) California and Chilean wines, and French Champagne.
We enjoy music by Miguel and family, who is also our singer for the Wednesday night potlucks.
A total of 28 for the dinner with 15 from one Canadian family!
The evening concluded in a very traditional Mexican fiesta way...2 pinatas were merrily whacked until they spilled out all kids of candy treats!
Here is a short video of the evening festivities here in Melaque, Mexico.
