christmas

2. These dried forest ingredients are a vital component of the holiday soup and sauce.
4. The act of abstaining from meat (and sometimes all food) until the Christmas dinner.
6. Nuts often cracked to predict health or tossed into corners for prosperity.
8. Spiced honey cookies, often intricately decorated with white icing.
11. The specific type of freshwater fish traditionally served fried as the main course.
14. Glass baubles or straw decorations used to dress the Christmas tree.
15. A crumbly topping often found on Slovak festive fruit or curd cakes.
18. Chocolate treats wrapped in shiny foil (salónky) used to decorate the tree.
19. The unusual place where the Christmas fish is traditionally kept alive for a few days.
20. A common black filling used in rolls or small dough balls called opekance.

1. The fermented cabbage used as the base for the traditional Christmas Eve soup.
3. The time of the traditional church service held after the family dinner.
5. Pieces of the fish kept in a wallet to ensure financial luck for the next year.
7. Eaten with honey on a wafer to ensure strength and health for the family.
9. A scene or "Betlehem" depicting the birth of Jesus, often carved from wood.
10. In Slovakia, the main celebration happens on Christmas ______, the 24th.
12. The main ingredient of the creamy mayonnaise salad served with the fish.
13. Thin, unleavened biscuits eaten with honey and garlic at the start of the meal.
16. Traditional songs sung at home or in church to celebrate the holiday.
17. The English translation of Štedrý, describing the festive evening and the soup.