Christmas carp

File:Vánoce, smažený kapr.jpg

Christmas carp ({{langx|de|Weihnachtskarpfen}}) is a traditional dish for Christmas Eve in Central Europe. The fish is traditionally kept in a bathtub before preparation to remove muddy flavours and is commonly fried or served in dishes like gefilte fish. In some regions, leftover bones are placed in fruit trees for spring growth and its scales are carried for good luck. Some beliefs link its head to Christ's torture instruments and protection against witches.

Customs

The tradition of eating carp arose when, in accordance with Christian teachings, Advent was celebrated as a time of fasting. Fish is commonly eaten during fasting periods as it is not considered meat.{{cite web | title=Fisch zu Weihnachten | website=Germany, Austria, Switzerland - German | date= | url=https://www.msc.org/de/adventskalender/fisch-zu-weihnachten | language=de | access-date=18 December 2024 | archive-date=27 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127193914/https://www.msc.org/de/adventskalender/fisch-zu-weihnachten | url-status=live }} Christmas carp became a special fasting dish to celebrate Christmas Eve as the high point of Advent and the eve of Christmas Day. In the Middle Ages, the carp (like the pike) was particularly religiously valued and was therefore often eaten at Christmas.{{cite web | title=Weihnachtskarpfen: Tradition trifft moderne Küche | website=Landwirtschaft verstehen | url=https://www.landwirtschaft-verstehen.at/genuss/tipps-fuer-kauf-und-kueche/produktwissen/karpfen-aus-oesterreich | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219121625/https://www.landwirtschaft-verstehen.at/genuss/tipps-fuer-kauf-und-kueche/produktwissen/karpfen-aus-oesterreich | url-status=live }} According to the belief of the time, the fish's head was said to contain Christ's torture instruments, and the head bones were believed to form a dove-like bird figure that reminded people of the Holy Spirit and protected against witches.{{cite web | title=Weihnachtskarpfen: Festtagsschmaus, Glücksbringer und Beschützer vor Hexen | website=nachrichten.at | date=20 December 2015 | url=https://www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterreich/weihnachten/Weihnachtskarpfen-Festtagsschmaus-Gluecksbringer-und-Beschuetzer-vor-Hexen;art115283,2064108 | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024}} One old custom involves carrying around carp scales to bring a blessing of money in the new year.{{cite web |last=Rapoport |first=Iris |title=Ein Hohelied |website=nd-aktuell.de |date=1 January 2022 |url=https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1160059.biolumne-ein-hohelied.html |language=de |access-date=17 December 2024 |archive-date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219145904/https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1160059.biolumne-ein-hohelied.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Fischschuppen als Glücksbringer |website=Süddeutsche.de |date=4 December 2017 |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/weihnachts-macher-fischschuppen-als-gluecksbringer-1.3777253 |language=de |access-date=17 December 2024 |archive-date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219104157/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/weihnachts-macher-fischschuppen-als-gluecksbringer-1.3777253 |url-status=live}} This custom probably stems from the coin-like shape of the carp's scales.{{cite web | title=Christliche Traditionen zu Weihnachten – Der Karpfen | website=Schermbeck Online | date=10 December 2015 | url=https://schermbeck-online.de/alte-traditionen-zu-weihnachten-der-karpfen/ | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219150931/https://schermbeck-online.de/alte-traditionen-zu-weihnachten-der-karpfen/ | url-status=live }} In the culture and cuisine of the Ore Mountains, the carp is part of the Neinerlaa, a nine-piece ritual Christmas feast, with the carp symbolizing the abundance of money.{{cite web | last=Stasjulevics | first=Heiko | title=Eine Karpfenschuppe für die Geldbörse | website=Thüringer Allgemeine | date=27 December 2019 | url=https://www.thueringer-allgemeine.de/regionen/gotha/article228002123/Eine-Karpfenschuppe-fuer-die-Geldboerse.html | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219115331/https://www.thueringer-allgemeine.de/regionen/gotha/article228002123/Eine-Karpfenschuppe-fuer-die-Geldboerse.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Weihnachtskarpfen – Karpfenland Mittlere Oberpfalz | website=Karpfenland Mittlere Oberpfalz | url=https://www.karpfenland-oberpfalz.de/weihnachtskarpfen/ | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219122712/https://www.karpfenland-oberpfalz.de/weihnachtskarpfen/ | url-status=live }} An old Silesian custom is still followed today: the morning after the Christmas carp meal, the leftover fish bones are placed on the fruit trees in the garden to encourage them to flourish in the spring.{{cite web | last=Demel | first=Nadja | title=4 kuriose Mythen rund um den Weihnachtskarpfen | website=wmn | date=16 December 2023 | url=https://www.wmn.de/food/weihnachtskarpfen-4-kuriose-mythen-id585277 | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024}} This custom is also followed after eating the New Year's Eve carp. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the fish scales are considered a symbol of wealth and are placed under the plate or in the wallet.{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Meghan Collins | title=In Slovakia, Christmas Dinner Starts In The Bathtub | website=NPR | date=22 December 2014 | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/12/22/372088391/in-slovakia-christmas-dinner-starts-in-the-bathtub | access-date=18 December 2024}}

Preparation

File:Kocka-kapr.JPG

The carp is traditionally taken home and kept for a few days in a bathtub.{{cite web | last=Dempsey | first=Judy | title=From the bathtub into the vat: Holiday carp | website=The New York Times | date=23 December 2004 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/dining/from-the-bathtub-into-the-vat-holiday-carp.html | access-date=19 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219170842/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/dining/from-the-bathtub-into-the-vat-holiday-carp.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Gnauck | first=Gerhard | title=Weihnachtskarpfen: Barbarischer Brauch verdirbt vielen Polen das Fest | website=DIE WELT | date=7 September 2015 | url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article112216973/Barbarischer-Brauch-verdirbt-vielen-Polen-das-Fest.html | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=24 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224224655/https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article112216973/Barbarischer-Brauch-verdirbt-vielen-Polen-das-Fest.html | url-status=live }} In the past, the carp was gutted the evening before at the latest and marinated in buttermilk overnight so that the strong taste was diluted.{{cite web | title=Weihnachtskarpfen: Rezepte & Tradition | website=DasKochrezept.de | date=29 September 2022 | url=https://www.daskochrezept.de/magazin/weihnachtskarpfen-rezepte-tradition | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024}} Before carp farming, when the fish were still caught from ponds, it was often the case that the carp swam in clear water in the bathtub for a few days. This had the effect of soaking the carp and thus removing the muddy taste that arises when the fish takes in food from the pond mud.{{cite web | title=8. Faustregel: Karpfen | website=BUND – BUND für Naturschutz und Umwelt in Deutschland | url=https://www.bund-dresden.de/was-wir-tun/food-for-future/8-faustregel-karpfen/ | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=18 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818234635/https://www.bund-dresden.de/was-wir-tun/food-for-future/8-faustregel-karpfen/ | url-status=live }} By 2024, supermarkets in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia had ended live carp sales.{{cite web | title=Tesco ends live carp sales in Czech Republic | website=TVP World | date=3 December 2024 | url=https://tvpworld.com/83804099/tesco-ends-live-carp-sales-in-czech-republic-over-animal-welfare-concerns | access-date=18 December 2024}}{{cite web | title=Slovak animal rights organization releases new report on live carp sales, as retail chains Tesco and Billa commit to end the practice | website=Humánny Pokrok | date=25 November 2022 | url=https://humannypokrok.sk/slovak-animal-rights-organization-releases-new-report-on-live-carp-sales-as-retail-chains-tesco-and-billa-commit-to-end-the-practice/ | access-date=18 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219215149/https://humannypokrok.sk/slovak-animal-rights-organization-releases-new-report-on-live-carp-sales-as-retail-chains-tesco-and-billa-commit-to-end-the-practice/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Bazydło | first=Cezary | title=Badewannen-Karpfen: Tierquälerei fürs traditionelle Weihnachtsmenü? | website=MDR.DE | date=23 December 2021 | url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/welt/osteuropa/land-leute/polen-weihnachten-karpfen-tierquaelerei-tradition-100.html | language=de | access-date=18 December 2024 | archive-date=24 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724100530/https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/welt/osteuropa/land-leute/polen-weihnachten-karpfen-tierquaelerei-tradition-100.html | url-status=dead }}

In southern Germany, as well as in the Czech Republic, Austria (especially in the Waldviertel), Slovakia and Hungary, the Christmas carp is usually traditionally cut into pieces, breaded and fried in fat.{{cite web | title=Gebratener Karpfen mit Kartoffelsalat · #VisitCzechia | website=Homepage · #VisitCzechia | date=7 December 2022 | url=https://www.visitczechia.com/de-de/things-to-do/places/gastronomic-tourism/recipes/g-fried-carp-with-potato-salad | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024}}{{cite web | title=German Food Guide & Directory | website=German Food Guide & Directory | url=https://www.germanfoodguide.com/recipes.cfm?recipe_number=184 | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=29 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529201950/https://www.germanfoodguide.com/recipes.cfm?recipe_number=184 | url-status=live }} The Christmas carp is served with potato salad (usually prepared with mayonnaise), cucumber salad, lemon wedges, boiled potatoes or remoulade.{{cite journal | title=Vronis Lieblingsschmankerl: Gebackener Karpfen mit Dijon Mayonnaise und Kartoffelsalat | website=BR.de | date=23 August 2024 | url=https://www.br.de/br-fernsehen/sendungen/vronis-lieblingsschmankerl/vronis-lieblingsschmankerl-s3-f5-rezept-gebackener-karpfen-mit-kartoffelsalat-100.html | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024}} In northern regions, a popular preparation is blue carp with parsley or boiled potatoes and horseradish sauce.{{cite web | last=Wendel | first=Johanna | title=Worauf geht die Tradition des Weihnachtskarpfens zurück? | website=SZ Magazin | date=11 December 2024 | url=https://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/gruss-aus-der-kueche/weihnachtskarpfen-93422 | language=de | access-date=17 December 2024 | archive-date=20 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220125113/https://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/gruss-aus-der-kueche/weihnachtskarpfen-93422 | url-status=live }} Another classic is stuffed carp. The fish is stuffed with various vegetables and/or potatoes. The whole carp is then roasted in the oven. In addition to the stuffing, other side dishes are usually fried tomatoes, mushrooms and boiled or fried potatoes.{{cite web | title=Rezept | website=Gutekueche.ch | date=12 December 2003 | url=https://www.gutekueche.ch/gebackener-weihnachtskarpfen-rezept-463 | language=de | access-date=18 December 2024 | archive-date=19 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219142810/https://www.gutekueche.ch/gebackener-weihnachtskarpfen-rezept-463 | url-status=live }} In Polish Catholic homes (more commonly in the northern regions near the Baltic Sea), gefilte fish ({{langx|pl|karp po żydowsku}}) is a traditional dish to be eaten on Christmas Eve (for twelve-dish supper) and Holy Saturday.{{cite book |title=Culinary Tourism |editor-first=Lucy M.|editor-last=Long |publisher=The University Press of Kentucky |publication-place=Lexington, Ky |year=1998 |chapter=Chapter 4: Flavors of Memory: Jewish Food as Culinary Tourism in Poland |first=Eve |last=Jochnowitz |pages=97–113 |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/34110320 |url={{Google books |id=8WkumSPd7acC |plainurl=yes}} |access-date=21 October 2021 |quote=karp po żydowsku has become a traditional dish in many Catholic Polish homes for Christmas Eve and Holy Saturday, traditionally meatless feasts. (p. 109) |isbn=978-0-8131-2639-5}}

Christmas carp

Customs

Preparation

See also

References

Further reading