Goodies from around the world

What does Bûche de Noël mean? Discover traditional foreign festive foods

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Is there a meal you look forward to every year? Perhaps roasted turkey or gingerbread cookies? All over the world, nations have their own festive traditions and associated delicacies—some sweet, some savory, some baked, and some fried. Let’s explore the names and stories of these foreign treats and decide which ones we’d like to try first.

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Bûche de Noël simply translates to "Christmas log." It’s sometimes also called a Yule log cake. This French dessert is, unsurprisingly, a favorite during the jolly season.

Made from a rolled sponge cake filled with buttercream and decorated to resemble a log, it often features chocolate, vanilla, or coffee flavors. Some variations also include powdered sugar or meringue to mimic snow.

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The tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes originated in Southern Italy as a way to celebrate the bounty of the sea and familial togetherness. It remains a cherished Christmas Eve tradition in many Italian-American households.

The feast calls for families to come together and prepare seven seafood dishes. The number seven is derived from its biblical association with completeness.

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Do you think you could eat twelve grapes in just a few seconds? That’s exactly what the Spanish attempt to do as midnight strikes on New Year’s Eve. This ritual is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.

Strictly speaking, you should eat each of Las Doce Uvas ("The Twelve Grapes") with every chime of the midnight bells.

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If you were to attend a Norwegian wedding, you would likely see a towering cake made of glazed dough rings. If you're lucky, you might also find this treat served on Christmas or anniversaries.

The rings are made from ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites and are stacked to form a conical structure. Sometimes, a Kransekake ("wreath cake") hides a surprise inside, such as a bottle of wine.

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Mooncakes are round to symbolize the full moon. They originated in China as a treat for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

These cakes are traditionally filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolks. They are crowned with beautiful stamped tops that feature Chinese characters representing concepts like "harmony" or "longevity."

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Hallaca is a tamale-like dish eaten in Venezuelan summers for Christmas. It is made from corn dough filled with meat, raisins, capers, and olives, then wrapped in plantain leaves.

Because hallacas are quite difficult to prepare, making the dish often becomes a communal activity on Christmas Eve. Their name comes from the Guaraní word ayuaca, meaning "mix of things."

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Hot Cross Buns, marked with a cross, are spiced sweet rolls traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the UK.

Made with flour, sugar, raisins, and spices, these buns date back to at least the 12th century, when monks baked them to honor the crucifixion. Some people enjoy them with butter, cream, or jam.

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An ornate box filled with small, varied dishes—this is a traditional way to welcome the New Year in Japan. Osechi Ryori translates directly to "New Year’s Food."

Inside the lacquered box, you might find dishes like datemaki (sweet rolled omelet) or kuromame (sweet black soybeans), along with many colorful seafood delicacies.

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Not donuts, but close enough. Picarones (which translates to "rascal" or "stinger" in English) are sweet fritters made from squash and sweet potato, often served with syrup or a dusting of sugar.

In Peru, they are a favorite treat during Señor de los Milagros, a religious festival celebrated in the country’s spring. But any day is a good day to enjoy them, too.

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Bibingka is a coconut-flavored rice cake enjoyed during Christmas in the Philippines, particularly after Simbang Gabi (dawn masses).

This centuries-old tradition dates back to Spanish colonial times. Bibingka is made with rice flour, coconut milk, and eggs, then topped with cheese or salted egg. For a final touch of flavor, it is wrapped in banana leaves before baking.

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Lussekatter translates to "Lucia Cats," a name far better than their original one—"Lucia Devils." These saffron-infused pastries are baked and enjoyed on St. Lucia’s Day, a religious celebration held on December 13 in Sweden.

Traditionally shaped like an "S," lussekatter were originally served as a special breakfast to ward off evil spirits. They are often decorated with raisins for an extra touch of sweetness.

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Vitello Tonnato ("veal with tuna sauce") is a festive favorite in many South American households. It consists of thinly sliced veal covered in a creamy tuna-caper sauce.

Originally from Italy’s Piedmont region, the dish was brought to South America through immigration, becoming popular in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its chilled preparation makes it perfect for the warm weather of Christmas and New Year’s dinners in these regions.

Something wicked this way comes

Are you sure you're not spellbound? The 10 most iconic witches in fiction

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Broomsticks, cauldrons, potions, black cats, crystal balls, magic wands! What do all these bring to your mind? Some good, some not so good, witches have been recurring characters in the human imagination, appearing in ancient myths, folklore, fairy tales, and even on TV and in films. Among them, some witches stood out, becoming memorable characters for all of us. If you want to remember 10 iconic witches from literature, movies, and TV, this article is for you!

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L. Frank Baum is the creator of the legendary Wicked Witch of the West, who first appears in the famous novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900.

One of the main antagonists of Dorothy and her friends, the Wicked Witch of the West is the archetypal witch with all the bells and whistles: she is a malevolent old lady who wears a black dress and a pointy hat, often holding her broomstick.

What many people don't know is that the familiar image of the witch we know today is largely thanks to Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the green-skinned Wicked Witch in the 1939 film adaptation of the story.

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Another witch inhabits the world of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but this one is quite different from the previous one.

Known as "The Good Witch," Glinda is exactly that: a witch with good intentions. Unlike the Wicked Witch, Glinda helps Dorothy on her journey, using her powers for good. These opposing differences are also reflected in their appearances: Glinda is a beautiful woman who wears a pink dress and carries not a broom but a wand, almost like a fairy godmother.

It was actress Billie Burke who brought Glinda to the big screen in the 1939 adaptation.

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Every hero needs a villain, just as every princess needs an evil witch. And the story of Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989) is no exception.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, the Disney movie has made Ariel the world's most famous mermaid. But her life under the sea isn't so peaceful, and this is due, in large part, to the evil Ursula.

With her purple skin, white hair, garish makeup, and especially her large tentacles, Ursula is one of Disney's most emblematic villains. In the story, Ursula offers to use her powers to fulfill Ariel's wish to become human. However, her intentions are anything but kind.

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Moving beyond the stereotypical hats, brooms, and wrinkled skin, the classic American TV sitcom Bewitched (1964-1972) introduced us to Samantha Stephens, a modern-day witch.

Samantha is portrayed by Elizabeth Montgomery, who, over the course of 8 seasons, turned the character into one of TV's most beloved witches.

Unlike other witch characters, Samantha is a kind woman who chooses to live a quiet life in the suburbs with her husband. Although she tries to avoid using magic in her day-to-day life, she often encounters weird and comical situations that leave her with no choice. When she turns to her powers, she always does so with good intentions through an iconic and recognizable gesture: her nose twitches.

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What memories do you have from your teenage years? Now, imagine having magical powers—how different would that have been? What would the life of a teenage witch be like?

Fortunately, the answer to that last question exists: Sabrina Spellman, the teenage witch. This iconic character first appeared in 1962 as part of Archie's Madhouse #22, a spinoff of the main Archie comics. Sabrina is a teenager like any other, living a normal life—with the small detail that she has magical abilities. Like other witches on this list, Sabrina has a good heart and often tries to help others. She is often accompanied by her pet, which, as it couldn’t be otherwise, is a black cat named Salem.

One of the most famous adaptations was the 1996 live-action series called Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart as the main character.

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While Sabrina and Samantha are kind witches often involved in comical situations, not all the characters in this article are like that. In fact, some are quite the opposite.

Such is the case with the mysterious Blair Witch, first introduced in the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project. In the story, a group of students decide to spend the night in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland, to investigate the local tale of the Blair Witch. They never return.

All that is found of them is the footage they made during their time in the hills, which turns out to be absolutely terrifying, showing eerie events blamed on the presence of the evil witch. But there's something about the Blair Witch that makes her even more disturbing: you never get to see her.

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In Act 1, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, we're introduced to three iconic characters who embody dark forces. They are the Three Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters.

Representing fate and conflict, the Three Witches are responsible for making prophecies that guide the plot of Macbeth. With their eerie appearance and cryptic prophecies, they play a crucial role in Macbeth's destiny by understanding his weaknesses and manipulating the ambition within him.

Shakespeare made The Three Witches speak in rhyming couplets, with one of their most famous lines being, "Double, double, toil and trouble, / Fire burn and cauldron bubble."

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Winifred, Sarah, and Mary are the Sanderson Sisters, the antagonistic trio of witches in Hocus Pocus, the classic 1993 Disney movie. Spectacularly blending horror and humor, each of the sisters has her own unique quirks.

Winifred, played by Bette Midler in the movie, is characterized by her iconic red hair and green dress. She's also the leader and the most skilled sister. In fact, she's the one who casts the spell that brings the three witches back to life.

Played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah's greatest strength is her charm, especially her melodious voice, through which she sings songs that hypnotize children.

Finally, Mary, played by Kathy Najimy, is very loyal and possesses the spooky ability to sense the smell of children to catch them.

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When it comes to scary witches, we can't fail to mention Maleficent, a full-fledged Disney villain.

Based on the evil fairy from Charles Perrault's classic tale The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, Maleficent first appeared in Disney's 1959 adaptation. She is a powerful and elegant witch, noted for her spiteful and vengeful personality. She casts a spell on Princess Aurora because the king and queen don't invite her to the christening. She condemns the princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep on her 16th birthday until the kiss of true love awakens her.

In 2014, the evil Maleficent had her own movie, with the wonderful Angelina Jolie in the title role.

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Since the publication of J.K. Rowling's first book about the iconic young wizard in 1997, and especially since the release of the first movie in 2001, Harry Potter has become a worldwide phenomenon, with thousands upon thousands of fans.

In this story, there's a trio of magical students who stand out for their good intentions and strong friendship: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

Hermione is one of the most popular witches of the 20th century. Her intelligence, skills, loyalty, high morals, and bravery set her apart from other characters of the same age. She shows enormous dedication and commitment to her education, and thanks to her, we all know that "It's Leviosa, not Leviosar!"