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Food for thought: Why foodies should look forward to holidays.

It's a truth worldwide no celebration is ever complete without food. And it's not strange therefore that most festivals - religious, social, political or whatever its genre might be has the concept of a principal food attached to it.

A further testimonial to this is the fact that almost every social group across geographical locations has some festival that corresponds to its principle harvest. A major reason why Canada should have a separate Thanksgiving Day, apart from the traditional historical stories of origin of the holiday, is the overriding speculation that the country had its harvest at a close but separate period of time.

Whatever the reasons (food lovers, I guess, wouldn't need one) the fact remains that feasting, from time immemorial has remained one of the principal attractions of any celebration.

Here is a list of holiday foods for food lovers to look forward to

July 4th barbeque: The 4th of July celebrations are almost incomplete without the customary Barbeque. .In different recipies and cooking styles barbeques set our taste buds rolling on this day. Vegetarians and vegans aren't left out either. Most popular food joints have come up with special vegan and vegetarian barbeques to make their day too.

Thanksgiving Turkey:Gobble! Gobble! Guess what? It's the Thanksgiving turkey calling you out to have a turkey-fic time feasting with friends, family or your sweetheart. Thanksgiving instantly calls to mind the big fat golden-brown turkey sitting neat on the Thanksgiving dinner table and stirring up the olfactory senses in its irresistible flavor. Yes, that's just it. No Thanksgiving menu was ever complete without this stuffed bird featuring on it. Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving only with the good fat Thanksgiving turkey on its menu. So, the Thanksgiving turkey has gradually become one inextricably significant symbol of this holiday.

Christmas Cake: Perhaps the most popular holiday food worldwide is the Christmas Cake. Almost every family in major parts of the world celebrates this day with a cake. Over years the Christmas cake has assumed paramount importance in the festivities of this event, so much so that it is now an important symbol of the festival itself.

Sweetest Day Candy: One of the classic recipes for Sweetest Day is the candy. Though the market is flooded with candy in all kinds of flavors and taste, but the fun and appeal of the home made candy is something else. All you need is milk, sugar, cocoa, stick oleo, vanilla and peanut butter, mix it all and boil for three to five minutes, then let it cool down and presto! You've got your own candy made at home. Wrap it in a flashy candy-wrapping paper and distribute to all of your candy loving friends and relatives.

Rosh Hashanah Apple dipped in honey: Rosh Hashanah is observed as a holiday which should be celebrated with the entire family having elaborate feasts including the traditional foods. A special dish prepared with honey is made for the blessings for apples and honey exclusively on Rosh Hashanah. More modern versions of this traditional food incorporate special flavored honey or creamed honey.

Diwali ( India ) Sweets : One of the long standing Diwali foods is the traditional sweet called Gujia, a delicious sweetmeat made from flour, khoya, a kind of hard, dried cream, sugar and raisins for toppings.A similar delicacy, called Kheer is one of the most popular recipes during Diwali, prepared from milk, lots of sugar and rice, it's quite like whipped cream, but much richer and thick. This really yummy sweetmeat can be served garnished with cashew nuts, raisins and cardamoms.

The most well known sweet of Diwali is undeniably the Laddu. Popular among young and old alike, Laddu made from gram flour, ghee and sugar is the most common sweet as well. Chopped almond and raisins toppings add to its gastronomic appeal.

Eid -ul-Adha Meat : Muslims worldwide are as much zealous about the Eid-ul-Adha foods as they are about its rituals and customs. It's very much an integral part of the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations. Every Muslim family takes great care to prepare the exclusive dishes on Eid-ul-Adha. Sometimes even the whole family decides on what to include and what not. Starting with the main course to the deliciously delectable desserts, Meat is at the centre of the Eid-ul-Adha menu is primarily the sacrificial meat of the Eid-ul-Adha ritual. By tradition, the Muslims give a part of the sacrificial meat to the poor on Eid-ul-Adha and share the rest with their friends and kins. Beef, of course, is the meat of choice! You can go for a number of toothsome preparations with beef like the beef balls, beef kababs, beef rolls, beef biriyani, beef stew and many more. Shahi mutton Biriyanis, rice dishes, Afghani korma, meatballs followed by the sweet gulab jamuns are often an Eid-ul-Adha favorite among the Muslims.

About the Author

Sean Carter writes on holidays, events and celebrations around the world. He also writes on family, relationships,womens issues birthdays, inspiration,love a