My Origin, My Story: Bianca Lugo Lewis

There are so many Puerto Rican dishes I could mention that feel like home: mofongo, coquito, arroz, habichuelas.... If you know, you know. But the ones that were the most memorable are the ones that are tied to family time and traditions. For Christmas, we do special dishes, one of which is making what is known as "pasteles" –a root vegetable and green banana dish filled with a savory meat stew. Making pasteles is a tradition that is slowly fading away because it is a long process, and younger generations are no longer interested. However, I made it a priority to learn this from my abuelita (grandma)! Now, every Christmas (and whenever I feel homesick), I make some pasteles. A whole day filled with traditional "parrandas" (Puerto Rican Christmas carols), coquito (the better version of eggnog with no egg), and the best part –fun memories.