Noche Buena - Christmas Eve, a Spanish Feast

Serrano Ham and Langostinos to Start, Followed by Seafood and Roast Lamb and Mas, Mas, Mas!

Christmas Eve in Spain is a time for family and friends to gather around the table to celebrate Christmas and feast. There is sure to be a plate of ham or "paleta" on the table (as in the photo on the left). The Spanish eat dinner late in the evening and because it usually involves appetizers and several courses, it lasts a couple hours. No Spanish Christmas celebration is complete without a glass of cava, Spanish sparkling wine and a piece of Spanish turron, mantecados or polvorones. After dinner it's usually time to sing or play cards. It's not too late to add a Spanish dish or two to your holiday menu!

• Spanish Christmas Menu
• Cava - Spanish Sparkling Wine - Have a Glass of Cava This Holiday Season!
• Spanish Christmas Sweets

_{Photo © Lisa Sierra, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

More About Christmas Eve in Spain

Damian Corrigan, About's Guide to Spain for Visitors writes about What is Christmas Eve Like in Spain?

About's Virtual Cookie Exchange Continues...

About's Guide to Desserts and Baking offers her childhood favorite recipe for Thumbprint Cookies. Your imagination is the only limit to the different flavor options available with this tasty recipe.

French food Guide, Rebecca shares this recipe for Cinnamon Palmiers with us. When one thinks of palmiers (tiny, scroll-like pastries) sweet, flaky cookies come to mind. These cookies are just that, with a touch of comforting, caramelized cinnamon.

About's Guide to Australian & New Zealand cuisine has a delicious cookie recipe to share with us for Chocolate Oat Cookies. These delicious cookies are simple and fun to make. You can decorate them with smarties, colored sprinkles or nuts.

Mexican Food Guide Chelsie has a delicious recipe for Mexican Wedding Cakes, delicate shortbread-style cookies made with chopped, roasted pecans, rolled in powdered sugar. They make an elegant addition to any fiesta.

These festive and delicious iced cranberry-orange cookies will be a hit with your family and your holiday guests. These cookies are flavored with orange juice concentrate and filled with plump dried cranberries, from our Guide to Southern Food

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