Skip to content

South Africans in Germany

Facebook Instagram X-twitter Facebook Threads
Home » For the Foodies » Traditional South African Christmas Recipes » Main Meals

Main Meals

Click here to submit your recipe

Gammon

Gammon is a type of ham that has been cured or smoked, similar to bacon. It comes from the hind leg of pork and is prepared through dry salting or brining. It may also be smoked, depending on the variety. Gammon is meat that has been cured through salting, brining, or smoking and is sold raw, while ham is meat that has been dry-cured or cooked and is ready to eat. Simply put, once you cook gammon, it transforms into ham.
In Germany, you can occasionally find Gammon at Kaufland, where it is sold under names like “Kassler Schinken geräuchert” or “Kassler Braten.” Keep an eye out for these labels if you’re looking to enjoy this flavorful cut!  

💡 Tip from Our Community

If you’re looking to order gammon from a butcher, ask for Prager Schinken – leicht geräuchert, leicht gepökelt (with Schwarte if you prefer the rind). Opt for Strohschwein (free-range pork) whenever possible. Its quality ensures a tender and juicy gammon, as the alternative can sometimes be quite dry.

Christmas Gammon

  • 1 smoked ham
  • 1 onion, peeled and quartered
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced 
  • 3 celery sticks, diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 30 whole cloves for decoration
  • 45ml honey
  • 50g red candied cherries
  • 4 tinned pineapple rings
  1. Place the ham, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, 5 cloves and peppercorns in a large pot. 
  2. Cover it with warm water. Bring to the boil and boil for 50 minutes per kilogram of meat.
  3. Let it cool
  4. Heat the oven to 230 Degrees Celcius
  5. Take the ham out of the liquid and remove the skin. Keep a layer of fat on the meat.
  6. Cut a diamond pattern into the layer of fat and insert a clove in every diamond
  7. Place the ham on a baking sheet and brush with honey
  8. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown
  9. Baste the ham every now and again with honey
  10. Decorate with ham and cherries (put a cherry in each pineapple  circle)

Buttermilk-Marinated leg of Lamb

Ingredients:

  • 1 deboned leg of lamb, butterflied
  • 125 ml buttermilk
  • 10 ml flavored sea salt
  • 2.5 ml ground black pepper

Basting Sauce:

  • 100 g melted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed
  • 2.5 ml sugar
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions:

  1. Pour the buttermilk into a glass bowl and place the lamb in it. Turn the lamb a few times to ensure it is well coated. Marinate in the fridge for 24 hours. Buttermilk is an excellent tenderizer, as it doesn’t draw out the meat’s juices or alter its flavor.
  2. Remove the lamb the next day and pat it dry gently with paper towels. Season with flavored salt and black pepper.
  3. Combine the ingredients for the basting sauce.
  4. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Cover the lamb with foil and bake for 1½ to 2 hours, turning it once and spooning basting sauce over the meat.
  5. Remove the foil and roast for an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.

Related content

German Christmas Recipes

Baking cookies for Christmas is what childhood memories are made of. We will list some websites here where you can find authentic Christmas recipes.  Typical Christmas food Zimtsterne Pfeffernüsse  Vanillekipferl Lebkuchen  Ausstechplätzchen (cut out cookies) Spekulatius Spritzgebäck Linzer Plätzchen Kokosmakronen Dominosteine Engelsaugen Rumkugeln Stollen Spitsbuben Glühwein.  Eierpunsch.  Heiße Schokolade (preferably spiked with some rum!)  Feuerzangenbowle.  Jagertee.  Glühbier.  Grog. Kinderpunsch Roasted Goose Red cabbage Dumplings Roasted Rosenkohl List of websites German Culture  – Christmas Recipes German girl in America – Christmas Dinner My best German Recipes  Days Christmas 2021

German Christmas Traditions

St. Nicholas Day St Nicholas Day, known as Nikolaustag in Germany, is celebrated on the 6th of December. Children leave a pair of cleaned boots outside their door on the evening of the 5th. The boots are then filled with sweets and small gifts. According to legend, Nicholas of Myra gave a poor father money in order to prevent his daughters from being taken into slavery, as the father did not have the funds for his daughters’ dowries. He threw the money through the family’s window, which landed in their shoes, which were drying near their fireplace. Days until Nikolastag Advent Advent is celebrated on the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It is a Christian tradition to prepare for the arrival or coming of Jesus Christ.The first Advent is the first Sunday after 26 November.  Advent wreaths have four large candles, which represent the four weeks of Advent and one candle is lit each Sunday. Families spend some quiet and reflective time together and sing Christmas carols. Drinking and eating typical Christmas food like Stollen, Glühwein (mulled wine), roasted almonds and chestnuts The first candle represents Hope, the second Faith, the third Joy and the final candle Peace.  Advent Calendar The Advent calendar counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Every day a new door of the calendar is opened to reveal a small chocolate or a gift. Originally they concealed a picture or bible verse. Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum) The first known Christmas tree was set up in 1419 in Freiburg by the town bakers They decorated the tree with fruits, nuts, and baked goods, which the children were allowed to remove and eat on New Year’s Day. In Germany, you set up and decorate the tree on Christmas Eve. It is traditional to use a real fir tree. The tree is taken down in January and there are specific days for disposal Christmas markets Most town squares transform into beautiful Christmas markets. Traditionally there will be a big Christmas tree and Nativity scene (Krippe). Additionally, there are where you can buy delicious food, warm drinks and handmade gifts. It is a wonderful place to meet up with friends for some Glühwein while listening to carol singers   Krippe The nativity scene is called a Krippe. It is usually put up in homes, churches and Christmas markets. You can buy the individual pieces at Christmas markets. Look for wooden hand made pieces Weinachtspyramide A wooden carousel with angels and a nativity scene. It has several levels and spins with the help of heat from candles. The larger ones you find at Christmas markets work with electricity Nutcracker dolls Nutcracker dolls originate from late-17th century Germany, particularly the Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge) region.The average handmade Nutcracker doll is made from 60 separate pieces and it takes a great deal of time and effort to bring them to life. Every detail of the doll is carefully crafted, from the hair to the clothes and everything in between.  They are made to resemble a toy soldier.Traditional Nutcrackers were functional and used to crack nuts, modern ones are more decorative. Schwibbogen Also called a Lichterbogen, is a beautiful decorative arch originating from the Ore Mountains in Germany. The Schwibbogen is traditionally made of wood and features intricate cut-out designs, often depicting scenes from daily life or folklore. They are illuminated with candles or electric lights, creating a cosy and festive atmosphere.  They also hold cultural significance for the people of the Ore Mountains. The Schwibbogen is believed to symbolize a coal mine’s entrance, highlighting the region’s important mining history. Additionally, many Schwibbogen feature religious motifs, representing the Christian roots of the Ore Mountain communities. Christmas Eve Time to set up the tree, enjoy a simple meal with family and exchange gifts.The traditional meal for the 24th consists of carp, boiled potatoes, cucumber salad and lemon slices. Another alternative is Sausages with potato salad  Christmas Day Many families attend church services and sing traditional Christmas carolsA large meal is traditionally eaten in the afternoon or early evening. Typical dishes include Roast goose or duck stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions or prunes. Dumplings and Red cabbage with onions and apples are served as side dishes. Days until Christmas

© 2025 South Africans in Germany · [Privacy Policy] · [Terms & Conditions] · [Impressum]