The thing is, Brazilian and Portuguese cultures are practically the same. This may be one of the key reasons why the majority of Christmas traditions have been learned from the Portuguese. In my family, different types of food take one of the central places in Christmas celebrations because tasty meals represent prosperity and a chance to spend holidays together. Brazilian people are generally moved by the idea of having the opportunity to celebrate a holiday that dates back to the 17th century (Jerman, 2020). Along with the Christmas tree and all the lights, we start cooking before the holiday in accordance with some of the most delicious recipes in order to make Christmas even better.
Based on the Christmas traditions established across Brazil, salpicão is a salad that is usually served for supper (ceia). The end of the year features numerous festivities that signify the beginning of the new year, and salpicão is one of the most popular Christmas recipes. On the other hand, this chicken salad may also be served as a usual Sunday dish for a family lunch that can be met at practically any Brazilian household (Trajano, 2018). It may be safe to say that this is one of the most important dishes for Brazilians due to its long history and connection to Christmas. Salpicão represents a perfect mix of vegetables, fruit, and chicken that can be served to any guest during any time of the year. Regardless, summer (verão) is the best time to try salpicão because it is rather refreshing and conveys the holiday vibe perfectly. Despite the fact that the Southern hemisphere has summer in December, this chicken salad tends to be one of the lightest dishes intended to help the Brazilians cope with hot weather and celebrate Christmas in accordance with all the long-standing traditions.
References
Jerman, T. A. (2020). Santa Claus worldwide: A history of St. Nicholas and other holiday gift-bringers. McFarland.
Trajano, A. L. (2018). Basics: Brazilian recipes encyclopedia. Editora Melhoramentos.