As an extension of the "Christmas Dinner" thread, what are some foods that your family traditionally make/serve for family gatherings throughout the year? Are there any traditions surrounding the preparation of the dishes, or other traditions associated with them? Macaroni and cheese always makes an appearance at my family gatherings. And I don't mean the kind you make from a box mix. In our case, it's baked. Deviled eggs are another of our family traditions. There is usually one in the batch that has a layer of cotton hidden inside; whoever gets the egg with the cotton is supposed to do the washing up after dinner. My mother's mother always made everyone's favorite desserts on holidays (in other words, there were LOTS of desserts). Blueberry pie for my eldest sister, rhubarb pie for my other sister, a gingerbread for my eldest brother, molasses cookies for my other brother, a mince pie for my father, strawberry shortcake for my mother, and genuinely homemade cherry cheesecake for me (my grandmother's cheesecake is nothing like conventional cheesecake, and I miss it badly since she passed on). Lastly, a newer tradition: "Hobo stew". Everyone brings some kind of meat and vegetable, it all gets thrown in a big pot, which is set over a fire pit or open grill to cook. So it's different every time it's made. Cabbage and potatoes tend to be a given, as well as some form of sausage. Short pieces of corn on the cob are a common ingredient as well.
We had Szegediner Gulasch - Hungarian Spiced Stew - not too long ago at a friends house, and I will try and make some as soon as I have my &*(*&&^ stove. I haven't decided on a recipe yet, since I was given several versions. Has to be spicy though, and it will be. Some crusty homemade bread on the side. That should do.
One of the favorite meals of my family is black beans and rice, piccadillo, platanos madura, flan and Cuban bread. Usually it is fixed for a celebration when we all get together. A very special treat. For New Years Day it is the black eyed peas, rice and jowl. Peas= Peace Rice=Riches Jowl=Joy
