Typical Catalan Christmas Foods: From Canalons to Torró

The best part about the holiday season is all the delicious foods to go along with it that are only eaten at that time of year and of course, there is no shortage of seasonal treats to be found in Catalan Christmas food either.

Typical Catalan Christmas food is an absolute treat. The savory dishes are rich and hearty, and the sweet are mouth-watering and decadent. In celebration of our favorite Catalan Christmas food, here are the most typical foods to be found! Furthermore, make sure to try at least a bit of turró this holiday season!

Canalons

There’s usually quite a bit of leftover meat after the Christmas feast, so tradition has it that on the 26th of December (also a holiday in Catalonia – Sant Esteve) you make cannelloni. Thick pasta is stuffed with meat, chicken and pork, bechamel sauce, and melted cheese. This stuff is incredible and not to be missed at Christmas time – or any time, for that matter. This is without a doubt our favorite Catalan Christmas food!

Rostit de Nadal

Another dish of the typical Christmas foods of Catalonia is the rostit de Nadal, or a Christmas roast. The traditional dish is either anec or pollastre farcit amb prunes i pinyons, or roasted duck or chicken with prunes and pine nuts. Between the fruits and nuts and a touch of cinnamon, this dish is reminiscent of Spain’s moorish past.

Escudella i Carn d’Olla

This traditional soup is the first thing that comes to mind when Catalans think of holiday meals. It consists of a piping hot broth with galets. We then throw in enormous macaroni-type noodles, as well as a heaping load of meat and vegetables. If you’re curious, the dish does contain chicken, beef and pork. Not to mention, also a pilota, an egg-shaped meatball that can vary in size.

It can be served one of two ways. Primarily as a two-course meal with the meat and vegetables followed by the broth. Alternatively, it can also be served all at once. This is how most Catalan families eat it on Christmas day.

Torró

Throughout Spain, the most widely known Christmas sweet is the turrón, or torró as we call it in Catalan. This is a nougat bar made of honey, egg whites, sugar and almonds, and you will see it everywhere throughout the holiday season (and in some cases, all year-round!). There are plenty of varieties to choose from, including xocolata and the regional version of crema catalana, a delicious Catalan custard dessert.

Rolled wafer cookies are another big part of Christmas time in Barcelona. They usually come after a big meal, with a glass of cava, and are used to dip in the cava. Crunchy and with a hint of lemon, these cylindrical wafers were supposedly invented by a nun who was interrupted while making communion crackers. In fact, there are so many typical Catalan Christmas sweets, that the list is endless!

Cava

Speaking of cava, this local drink is often present at the holiday table. While you can find this year-round in restaurants and homes, this bubbly drink is the star of festivies such as weddings, birthdays and New Years. Make sure to read all about this sparkling Catalan wine in our article on cava.

Want to know more about traditional Catalan food? Join our lovely guide Raquel as she visits one of our favorite authentic restaurants in the beautiful neighborhood of Gracia. 

This blog post was last updated on November 15, 2022.

Want to connect with locals and try essential Catalan dishes in a traditional neighborhood? Join our Taste Barcelona Like a Local: Gracia Neighborhood Food Tour! For the true Catalan experience of hole-in-the-wall gems serving up home-cooked classics and regulars-only bodegas, you can’t do any better than Gracia—and on this food tour, we’ll show you where to find the best of the best.