Coquilles Sainte-Jacques (France)
A dish of baked scallops and mushrooms in a white wine sauce, with herbs and cheese. You can find coquilles Sainte-Jacques ($17/$18 GF) on the menu at Levilla Restaurant year-round.
1851 Sirocco Dr. S.W., 403-217-9699, levilla.ca
Chiles en Nogada (Mexico)
Chiles en nogada are meat-stuffed poblano chiles in nogada, a walnut cream sauce, garnished with pomegranate seeds. Try them at Chilitos Taberna Mexicana throughout December ($21).
1309 17 Ave. S.W., 403-483-5762, chilitos.ca
Hallacas (Venezuela)
Traditionally, hallacas are a Venezuelan tamale, stuffed with chicken, pork, bacon, and beef chuck inside a banana leaf. Enjoy a gluten-free take on hallacas ($12) at Heaven Restaurant, available until Christmas.
119, 1013 17 Ave. S.W., 403-249-3037, heavengf.com
Sachertorte (Austria)
Order a slice of sachertorte ($7), a famous Viennese chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and dark chocolate icing, at the Austrian-Canadian Cultural Centre, or bring a whole cake home from Sunterra Market.
Austrian-Canadian Cultural Centre, 3112–11 St. N.E., 403-250-7342, austrianclub.ca; Sunterra Market, Multiple locations, 403-266-2820, sunterramarket.com
Baccalà (Italy)
The salted cod dish is part of the Feast of Seven Fishes, a traditional Italian Christmas Eve celebration. Baccalà in umido ($28.95) is available year-round on the Franca’s menu. Throughout December, you can also find it at Lina’s Italian Market in several forms (baccalà fritto and baccalà in umido for $12.99; baccalà cacciatore available on Fridays for $9.99).
Lina’s also sells pre-salted cod for $35.99/kg to take home for your own Feast of the Seven Fishes.
Franca’s, 3811 Edmonton Tr. N.E., 403-277-0766, francas.ca; Lina’s Italian Market & Café, 2202 Centre St. N.E., 403-277-9166, linasmarket.com
Stollen (Germany)
A fruit bread of nuts, spices, and dried fruits, coated with powdered sugar. Find stollen around the holidays at Glamorgan Bakery ($14.25 for a small loaf, $23 for a large loaf). It’s also available at Yum Bakery ($20 per loaf).
Glamorgan Bakery, 19, 3919 Richmond Rd. S.W., 403-242-2800, glamorganbakery.com; Yum Bakery, Calgary Farmers’ Market, 510, 77 Ave. S.E., 403-668-6164, yum-bakery.com
Mince pies (England)
Originating in England, this sweet pie filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices is served as a traditional dish throughout the Christmas season. Pies Plus Cafe bakes mincemeat pies ($21.49) through to January. For a pint-sized version, Pie Junkie offers mince tarts ($3 per tart) at its locations around the city.
Pies Plus Café, 611, 12445 Lake Fraser Dr S.E., 403-271-6616, piespluscafe.com; Pie Junkie, Multiple Locations, piejunkie.ca