Holiday foods different from 1st Christmas

Many of you aren't going to give a gift of frankincense or myrrh this year. Likewise, many of the foods traditionally served over the holidays bear little resemblance to what might have been eaten that first Christmas in Bethlehem.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Honey-baked ham? Probably not.

The "figgy pudding" mentioned in the song, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," might have closer links to Biblical times, since figs were an important fruit of the Holy Land, according to "A Biblical Feast: Foods from the Holy Land," by Kitty Morse (Ten Speed Press, $14.95). "Fig cakes"— 200 of them — were part of Abigail's culinary peace offering to David, to appease David's wrath from the insults of her husband, Nabal. In the New Testament, Jesus used a fig tree in two parables and caused one to wither.

Today in America, more people sing about "figgy pudding" than actually eat it. And Abigail's "cakes" weren't the chocolate variety we're used to. They were small, flattened pieces of fried or baked dough. Dried fruit was also compressed into "cakes." A forerunner to Grandma's fruitcake, perhaps?

The nuts mentioned in the Bible were likely pistachios and walnuts, writes Morse, although almonds were also available. So, perhaps the song "I Just Go Nuts At Christmas" has more traditional roots that you'd think.

Actually, many ancient biblical foods are common today, and Christ often used food and drink as symbols in his teachings. "Man shall not live by bread alone," "Eat, drink, and be merry," "Salt of the earth" and "Land of milk and honey" are just a few of the culinary sayings that came from the Bible.

Bread was the staff of life, writes Morse. It was made from wheat as well as spelt, barley and other cereal grains. "Bread of life," and "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" are two of Christ's references to bread.

Meat was reserved for special occasions, such as "the fatted calf" in the parable of the prodigal son. Sheep, lambs and shepherds play a huge part in Biblical symbolism.

Honey was the main sweetener, although syrups were also made from grapes, pomegranates, figs and dates. In the Book of Luke, the resurrected Christ ate honeycomb and broiled fish.

Salt was the main seasoning, hence such references to salt losing its savor. Morse writes that it was mined near the infamous city of Sodom. Other flavorings included cinnamon, coriander, cumin, garlic and saffron.

Fish and fishing come up often in the New Testament. Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish; on another occasion, he did it with seven loaves and two fish.

Grapes, vineyards and wine are also prominently mentioned. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine.

Olives are one of the most important fruits of the Holy Land, writes Morse. So! Those stuffed olives on your relish tray are just as appropriate for Christmas as any cookies or candy — if not more so.

E-mail: Vphillips@desnews.com