Christmas is one of the holidays that brings a lot of traditions, customs and special dishes, which we treat each other only on the eve of God's birth. Many of the traditions are very much carried on, but the details differ from house to house. Christmas brings together family, friends and, in many cases, customs and recipes. Perhaps even in your household, a "cocktail" of habits was created that you brought from home, from your family home, from your family tree. If a couple who found their way to each other from opposite ends of the republic, or perhaps from across the border, gets married, it is more than likely that the traditions of one or the other party will be reconciled or modified. This was also the case with the Slovak Eva and her husband Radovan from across the Czech border. The Christmas Eve menu from both sides had only one thing in common, namely fried horseshoe carp and mayonnaise potato salad.

Until then, mushroom and pea soup was served on a purely Slovak Christmas table, before that poppy seeds were eaten. Some households pour milk and melted butter over sliced older rolls, at Eva's they baked small buns, which were later boiled in hot milk with butter. Lenten cabbage and fish soup dominated the Czech Christmas Eve table. It was a fish broth made from the heads and tails of carp with carrots, parsley and other vegetables, which we normally use in Sunday chicken or beef broth. However, instead of thin slimes, the Christmas fish stock was served with noodles that were cut from a fried flatbread from the leftover breadcrumbs, flour and eggs used to fry the horseshoes. Even the noodles had a delicate fish flavor. This is what the Slovak and Czech Christmas dinner table looked like in Eva and Radovan's families before they met. And after more than forty years of marriage together, what is their generous dinner together? Individual customs and traditions from the original kitchens intertwined with each other. A few novelties have also been added to the table, which are the result of inspiration from the environment or friends. For example, poppy seeds remained on the Christmas menu, but during the day you are no longer hungry, you are no longer waiting for the golden pig. So, navels became a light lunch. Dinner in Eva and Radovan's family starts with sweet wafers with honey and garlic. They added garlic according to the pattern of their acquaintances. They continue with fish soup and a mix of cabbage with dried oak and porcini mushrooms. As a recommendation, they also add prunes to it. They cook this soup a day earlier so that the flavors combine. Likewise, on the eve of Christmas Day, they mix the potatoes with root vegetables, onions and mayonnaise and let the salad stand. To soften it, they add whipped cream, and pickles and a little water in which the cucumbers were boiled add flavor. Carp horseshoes are fried before dinner to keep them fresh. There are carp scales on the table for good luck. They enjoy Christmas pastries from Linz and gingerbread during dinner or after unwrapping presents.

However, one thing has not changed at all in Eva and Radovan's family. Humility, respect, togetherness, joy and memories were, are and always will be the greatest gift of the most beautiful holidays of the year. In the past, we were able to tell which corner of Slovakia or region we were in by Christmas food and customs. Today, traditions in families are mixed to such an extent that you will not find the same Christmas Eve menu even on one street within the same village.

photo: illustrative (freepik.com)