Mofongo with carne frita
Words by Melanie Cardona Vélez | Photography by Lucia Plaza
When an outsider visits the island of Puerto Rico, they rave about the beaches and the food. Puerto Rico is wildly known for their flavorful cuisine. Especially during the holiday season.
Christmas on the island is the time for experimenting with old recipes, learning new ones, or simply sticking to the classics. Either way, we celebrate through the meals we cook.
Food to us is not simply about getting our stomachs full but making a deeper connection to our roots and the times of our grandparents and those who came before them. We keep their legacy alive by passing down the recipes they learned as children.
One recipe I live by as an after-New Year's treat is “Almojábanas," which is fried food made with rice flour, milk, eggs, and vanilla, to name a few ingredients. My great-grandmother passed the recipe for this treat down to my grandmother, who then taught it to my mother, who passed it down to me.
Then there is “Mofongo with Carne Frita.” This staple everyday meal here on the island is a simple and delicious snack containing mashed plantains mixed with a little bit of garlic and served with fried meat on the side. And to top it off, add “Mayo ketchup,” which is nothing more than ketchup mixed with mayonnaise.
However, Christmas is another ordeal. You can’t go wrong with “Pasteles.” You make a base of maize out of plantains and fill it with any meat. You can add olives, capers, and any other ingredients or spices. Honestly, it’s a dish made to anyone’s unique flavor palate.
“FOOD TO US IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT GETTING OUR STOMACHS FULL BUT MAKING A DEEPER CONNECTION TO OUR ROOTS.”
Regardless of which “Pastel” is your favorite, enjoying the experience is more important than the process of making them yourself or simply eating them. There’s always a story told through our recipes.
That’s how we connect. Our love of food connects us with our families and allows us to make memories. Because we can’t always recall what happened during last year’s Thanksgiving, but we can remember that delicious “Lechon Asado” uncle cooked for everyone. Our shared meals fuel those special moments we share with others. That’s what makes Puerto Rico such a remarkable island. Food to us equals making memories.
Apart from being able to cook a mean meal, it’s also important to know that we grow tons of fruits and vegetables on the island. We share them as well with our families and neighbors. We Puerto Ricans have a big heart and are always giving back. Ever in need of some bananas? Your neighbor most likely has got you covered. An example of that heart of gold is my grandmother, who cooks not only for herself but for her closest neighbors. It’s those little things that make the difference.
That’s what makes Puerto Rico special. The way we can connect is by a simple plate of food. That’s how we come together.
A good reason if you asked me.
So, if you ever visit the island of Puerto Rico and have one of our authentic meals, ask about the recipe’s history. I guarantee there will be a captivating story behind it.