A real easy way to explore the Hispanic Culture together

Oct 17

At the table over delicious food we can find each other

Taste and see each other

It is the second to last day before Hispanic Heritage Month ends. How have I been celebrating? Well, honestly it has been very hard to celebrate when in it feels like being Hispanic in the United States is not safe right now. How do you the daily things to care for your family when there are other families that have been violently torn apart? How do you celebrate after you see mothers begging for food to feed their children? I don’t have many answers these days but I have lots of questions.

So, did I celebrate? Little by little the real heart of the matter bubbles up in me. The fact is that I am Hispanic and everyday I celebrate in little ways, I can’t stop being who I am.

I hear the lyrics of that song I sang when I was little and I celebrate.
I see the colors of the flag of Honduras randomly as I drive and I celebrate.
I see the faces of my children with their chocolate and caramel brown eyes and I celebrate.

But I didn’t want the month to pass without me taking a stand in my kitchen and truly savor this blessing of being Hispanic. So I did, the last two days of the month I made delicious food in honor of my heritage and I enjoyed most watching my beautiful children eat it.

It didn’t require much fan fare and preparation. It required creativity and ingenuity and that is a direct gift from my ancestors. With full schedules I purposed in my heart to just try and empty the fridge for the week. So, when I found tortillas and left over deliciously seasoned pollo, well I knew exactly what to do! Make taquitos de pollo.

I made taquitos de pollo with a side of nostalgia and love.
They were a comfort food in the best way. I could relive my childhood with the kids while quietly celebrating that we are meant to be here too. These flavors and textures are part of our soul and I love that their souls are growing with these flavors and textures too!

On the 15th of October, the last day of National Hispanic Heritage month I wanted to end the day with the flavors of home and friendship.

I was looking in my fridge again and found a little emptiness but I also thanked my Monday self who cooked a large pot of pollo and bought little naan rounds on sale. The chicken seasoned with love and cumin plus mouth watering latin spices was ready to be placed into a dish and make it better.

The idea came to me when I spotted the black refried beans I keep in my pantry for easy meal nights. I would make a torta. Tortas are the sweet taste of friendship. They are delicious sandwiches piled high with meat, lettuce, onion, and cheese between bread lathered with beans on side and avocados on the other.

Tortas are the sweet taste of friendship.

Taste transports us doesn't it? So, the one true and real way to celebrate hispanic heritage can come through looking for a small local restaurant and eating the delicious food. But I want to invite you to reflect as you eat it. To see, really see the people that created the food for you. They put their whole soul into it. Because to them it’s not just a job it is parts of their soul mingled with art. They take great pleasure in creating in a world that wants to other them. Their huge generous hearts are making this delicious food, yes to provide for their families, but also to connect with their new community. The work of their hands builds bridges for souls to find hope in each others presence. What a gift that the food tastes unbelievably good.

Buen Provecho!

Gracefully,