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The Christmas Carp, A Czech Tradition

December 22, 2011 by Nancy Lopez-McHugh 35 Comments

Czech Christmas Carp
Over the past week, or so, I’ve truly enjoyed reading people’s Christmas traditions. I find it fascinating how every country or family makes this holiday special for their families. So many of you have been preparing for days if not weeks. Food, of course, plays an integral part of the festivities.

Czech Christmas Carp
When we lived in the states our Christmas dinners were everything from tamales, turkey, goose or prime rib. Depending on which parent’s house we were at the food and celebratory activities also changed. After we moved to Europe our traditional Christmas dinner became goose, homemade pumpkin pie, loads of cookies, fresh baked breads, fresh seasonal vegetables, hot chocolate, red or mulled wine. For the most part it has remained the same as our Mexican, American-melting pot traditions. This year we want to change it up and so we will be having a traditional Czech Christmas meal.

Czech Christmas Carp
The Czech Christmas meal is so different from what we are used to. Carp is the Christmas meal of choice. That is fried carp served with potato salad, a soup, plenty of cookies and sweets. Yes, I know when many of you hear/read carp you cringe. But one must remember to have an open mind and respect other people’s traditions. I for one am so excited to experience some Czech Christmas culture and tradition.

Czech Christmas Carp
Czechs celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December. They eat their Christmas dinner and open presents on the 24th. Like in Mexico, Czech children grow up with the story of baby Jesus being the one who delivers the presents. Of course due to this modern globalized world we live in Santa Claus is on many adverts and products. Honestly I couldn’t tell you what Czech parents tell their children about Santa. Though not for religious reasons I hope Czechs stick with tradition and continue with Ježíšek (baby Jesus) as the gift giver.

Czech Christmas Carp
Another Czech tradition I hope does not get lost is the Carp tradition. Let’s talk about how the Carp makes it to the Christmas table. Several days before the 24th Carp sellers pop up around the country. The Carp sellers or stalls consist of several large vats filled with live Carp and water. There is a large table where the carb is killed and prepared if you like. But the tradition is that families buy their Carp fresh a day, or so, before and cook it fresh on the 24th. Those who buy the Carp live will fill the bathtub up with water and have a family pet for a day or two.

Czech Christmas Carp
When I’ve spoken to young Czech friends they admitted to me that they eat Christmas Carp out of tradition and not out of pleasure. Apparently Czechs are divided into two groups, those that like and enjoy Carp and those that do not enjoy it at all. Some friends have told me that instead of Carp they’ll eat Schnitzel, or now with the availability of imported fish they’ll substitute the Carp with an imported fish.

I for one have never tried Carp so I can’t give you my opinion just yet. Sunday we will be going out for our Czech Christmas Carp. Afterwards I can report back the whole experience. I’m going into it with excitement because I am always up for something new. But also going into it warily. My hubby on the other hand is feeling, and I quote ” trepidation”. I guess we will see.


I loved this video made by a Czech on the Christmas Carp tradition. But if you need something lighter than the slightly gruesome video above, watch this Chuck Norris video. See how he handles the Czech Christmas tradition.

For now I say Feliz Navidad, Vesele Vanoce and a very Merry Christmas!!

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Filed Under: Christmas-Thanksgiving, European, Holidays

« The Best of Spicie Foodie: 2011 Edition
Czech Christmas Carp, The Verdict »

Comments

  1. M. G. Frederic says

    December 22, 2011 at 14:02

    Very interesting, I love learning about other cultures. Thanx for the share.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 22, 2011 at 14:12

      Thanks for stopping by :)

      Reply
  2. Jenne says

    December 22, 2011 at 14:02

    Love the story and looking forward to hearing your opinion of the carp and potato salad.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 22, 2011 at 14:12

      Thank you Jenne. Wish me luck ;)

      Reply
  3. Tina@flourtrader says

    December 22, 2011 at 19:23

    Very interesting post here and now you got me wondering what your final verdict on the Carp for Christmas tradition. Cool that they don’t have Santa but baby Jesus bringing presents. Glad I stopped in to read-enjoyed your post.
    Happy holidays!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 22, 2011 at 21:56

      Thank you Tina. I can’t wait to report back in a few days. Happy holidays to you too!

      Reply
  4. Hyosun Ro says

    December 23, 2011 at 01:33

    Great post! I really enjoyed reading about a Czech tradition. Also, the photos brought back the memories of my trip to Prague a couple of years ago. Hope you enjoy the Christmas Carp!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 23, 2011 at 08:43

      Thank you and glad to hear it brought back memories for you:)

      Reply
  5. Trix says

    December 23, 2011 at 17:24

    I had carp fillet with cumin butter at Lokal when we were in Prague – I really liked it, so don’t be nervous!!! I am sure that whatever you do with it, it will be lovely. : )

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:01

      Trix, I also really liked it. We didn’t make our own, we went out to eat. Thanks I’ll have to check out Lokal’s Kapr soon.

      Reply
  6. Ann says

    December 24, 2011 at 02:50

    Thank you for sharing the Czech Traditional meal! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:02

      My pleasure Ann :)

      Reply
  7. Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb says

    December 24, 2011 at 04:52

    whats wrong with Carp? Its one of my favourite fish. I didnt know that it is a christmas tradition there. Enjoyed the information, photos and the video.

    They have similiar traditions in austria for christmas. There is no santa claus only baby jesus. Saint Nikolaus was on the 6th dec. and thats when u get choco gifts. if u were naughty u wont get anything and u ll be taken by the demons on the 5 th Dec. hihi
    i my family, we used to selebrate it mixed, since we are french too. So presents opening was on the 25 like in france and “Pere Noel” (Father Christmas) would come.

    Merry Christmas to u and your family Nancy! =)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:04

      Hi Helene, I think it is just a cultural biased. Having finally tried carp I can say the bad reputation is unjust. It was just as good as other fish, we both really liked it. Your traditions sound very similar to local traditions. Hope your Christmas was nice :)

      Reply
  8. Ramona says

    December 24, 2011 at 08:26

    What a great tradition!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!! Merry Christmas!! ~ Ramona

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:04

      Thank you Ramona :)

      Reply
  9. anna says

    December 24, 2011 at 18:27

    carp! i’m so bad with fish, but when it’s a tradition, i don’t know, i think i could do it :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:05

      I’m the opposite of you, I love seafood :) Now having tried it I would be happy to continue with the tradition.

      Reply
  10. Sandra's Easy Cooking says

    December 25, 2011 at 00:32

    Great post!!!!!!! Have a Merry Christmas sweetie!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:07

      Thanks and you too!

      Reply
  11. Ruth says

    December 25, 2011 at 10:19

    I am stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas! And also, to let you know I just got the lighting kit you recommended this week and I love it! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:08

      Hi Ruth, Thank you and I hope yours was lovely. Really? That is great. I hope you have loads of fun playing with it. Let me know.

      Reply
  12. Trix says

    December 26, 2011 at 19:20

    Of course it says you’re going out … my reading comprehension ain’t what it used to be!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 26, 2011 at 19:23

      Lol, I do that all the time too :)

      Reply
  13. Kiri W. says

    December 29, 2011 at 09:18

    Oh my, I remember my dad making one once, though for the second day of Christmas (in Germany we get the 26th off, too), and it was delicious, yet such a mess with the fishbones!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 29, 2011 at 09:44

      Fortunately we didn’t have many bones. Glad you also liked it:-)

      Reply
  14. Magic of Spice says

    December 30, 2011 at 19:25

    Interesting…carp are ornamental fish here, so I would never have though they would be a holiday meal :) I am so curious to see what you thought!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      December 30, 2011 at 20:45

      My husband said that too but now I associate them with Christmas.

      Reply
  15. Brno Chris says

    December 26, 2012 at 15:03

    Glad you enjoyed it, just remember that most bones are near the tail, and fingers are all ways best. And as a side comment, Santa Claus = Saint Micholous (excuse spelling), it was us westerners that moved His day from the 6th of December to the 25th.

    Reply
  16. James Davis says

    October 30, 2015 at 07:22

    Very interesting web page. It takes me back in memory. I married a lovely Soviet girl in 1991 and we had our honeymoon there in Prague. We did see the carp, and thought it a weird wonderful tradition. The city was all in Christmas lights, unlike Moscow, which was then still under the enforced atheism of the USSR. We stayed at the Panorama Hotel near St Pancras station and have been there a few more time since, I recommend it. Parts of Prague are so like Paris it’s easy to forget where you are. Everywhere is charming. Nothing but happy memories of Prague.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      October 30, 2015 at 20:37

      Hi James! Prague is truly a magnificent city — specially during Christmas time. When I tell people about it I say that it’s like looking in a snow globe with buildings that look straight out of a fairytale.

      Thank you and glad you have happy memories of Prague! :)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Czech Christmas Carp, The Verdict says:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:34

    […] you remember from the previous post I told you that Czech celebrate Christmas Eve. We celebrate on the 25th, and that is when we made […]

    Reply
  2. Lemon Garlic Stuffed Brook Trout Recipe (Pan Fried To Crispy Perfection) And Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas says:
    May 9, 2012 at 05:42

    […] You’ve read my previous complaints on the lack of fresh seafood in a landlocked country. But there is one type of fish I can always count on here in Prague, Trout. Most grocery stores carry Trout alongside the ever present Carp. […]

    Reply
  3. Czech Roasted Duck: A Christmas Tradition | Spicie Foodie says:
    December 18, 2013 at 17:01

    […] Christmas goose tradition began the year we arrived in Prague. In Czech Republic carp is the traditional holiday meal, and although we both enjoyed it we wanted to also have Christmas bird dinners. Czechs are not […]

    Reply
  4. A lovely Cooked Lamb dish at home before Christmas | Indian Food In Prague says:
    December 23, 2013 at 17:10

    […] after a long hours of argument with my wife over the christmas evening menu on the traditional Czech Kapr eating and my persistence on cooking some thing away from this (have already got tired of the same thing […]

    Reply

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