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To me it feels like Christmas is nearing faster then I can keep up.
And the holidays aren't complete without a good meal that takes time to prepare.
I remember last month, for the first time in many years, not having pasteles at our dinner table.
I only knew the basics on how to make them.
So I didn't want to go through that nightmare again for this Christmas...
Pasteles is part of being Puerto Rican. It is the most cherished culinary recipe in our culture. Not having pasteles on our table during Christmas would be like not having Santa Claus or the three kings bring gifts.
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It's a lot of work but it's worth it.
Well I decided to check online and see if there was a recipe on what I needed to make them,
I knew how to make them, just didn't know what ingredients were used to make the dough.
They are made with dough made from starchy roots and other vegetables and the pastel stuffing can be made from poultry, pork or seafood.
I did find the recipe and wrote it down, and as excited as I was that I found it, was just as anxious to go out and buy the stuffs to make them... and so I did!
I ran to three different stores looking to buy a food processor, because it would make the job easier when making the dough. In the old days we used to use the grater to make the dough which made the job frustrating. For those of you that prefer to use a hand grater to make the dough, I salute you!
I finally came to the last store in the plaza, which had one displayed on sale: But had none in stock on the shelves... as determined as I was, I asked to speak to the manager, and seeing as how desperate I was (Or at least that's how I was feeling!) He let me buy the one that was on display if I didn't mind taking it without it's original box and papers. So I took it and ran to pay before he changed his mind, heheh.
From there I went to buy the ingredients needed to make the pasteles.
It took me a little over an hour to have the dough and meat stuffing ready, when my two little ones saw me walking from the kitchen to the dining room with all the stuffs I needed to get started they came over to watch and talk. I'll admit that as I was making them I got emotional, but held it in and tried not to show it... as I was tieing one pastel with another in a bow, I remembered dad was the one that showed me how to tie like that. And even until this day, it's how I always see everyone tie the pasteles... this made me feel proud -- Proud that dad taught me how... that I remembered how... that I kept with the tradition.
Here is my thought for today:
Most of us have grown around traditional habits done during the holidays,
We don't think about them when younger, but expect it during this certain time of the year.
I was raised with the tradition of pasteles during this holiday...
But when I moved from home all these years I didn't know how to start off making them myself... so I felt like I was breaking that tradition, but tried to keep it alive by buying them during that time, my kids are crazy about them, so I'm glad I still introduced them to this.
These traditions are what make us what we are... and each makes this time of the year just more meaningful and beautiful to us and those close to us.
Our parents passed it on to us, took the time to make it a special holiday...
May you and your loved ones have a beautiful, traditional holiday.
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Luna