What Students Are Saying About Black History, Food-Centric Traditions and Wordle

In China, Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays. Thus, its food would be important as well. Each family needs to prepare a meal on New Year’s Eve, and everyone in this family will sit down and eat together which represents reunion. Some foods that my family would prepare are fish and dumplings. Fish means that we won’t worry about food and clothing in the new year. And dumpling also means reunion. Some other families may put dimes, peanuts, or candies in some dumplings. If the person gets dimes, he or she will make a lot of money in the new year. If gets peanuts or candies, then he or she will be healthy or happy.

— Alyssa, Beijing, China

Pozole, Tamales and Ponche for Nochebuena

One of the most important days in the whole year for Mexicans is Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve. Mexico is a very Catholic country, so the religious importance is there. Beyond that, Nochebuena is an important day because it brings the whole extended or close family together. The food is what brings the family together. There are common dishes that my family makes: pozole, tamales, ponche, buñuelos, and more. The thing with pozole, tamales, and ponche is that they all take a long time to make, and with lots of labor. What better way to express love among family than by sharing a meal that requires labor and patience.

— Aaron, Glenbard West High School

Mole on Day of the Dead

In Mexico, Day of the Dead is a holiday. It starts on October 31, and it ends on November 2. People remember friends and family who have died. People decorate an altar in their house with photos of the person and layout petals of marigold flowers. The altar is extremely personal, very sacred. This is where people express all the love they have for their loved ones.

For many, it is a party of laughter, music, funny stories, dances, and traditional food. Some traditional foods you could enjoy on these special days are: Black mole is a complex chili and chocolate sauce flavored, dark as night, to satisfy hunger. For a great meal, a cup of hot Oaxacan chocolate and cinnamon is best. Of course, tamales, you must like them. If you have a good appetite and want to explore your senses of food, these days are definitely for you.

— Celso, New York

Ecuadorean Easter Soup

One of the dishes with the most meaning for the Ecuadorean culture, whether you are Catholic or not, although for Catholics with a more special meaning, is the preparation of a special soup called “Fanesca.” This dish is prepared with 12 different types of grains and each grain symbolizes a disciple of Jesus. And the most important part is the fish, a special one called “Bacalao”. It is impossible for the fish to be missing from the plate because the fish means Jesus, that is, what Jesus and God are paramount in our lives.

The importance of this tradition is that it gives us the opportunity to have time to share with our family is similar to Thanksgiving here in the US. I really enjoyed preparing this dish with my family, I have the best memories of my childhood and my grandparents.

— Fernando, New York

Ox for Christmas in Brazil

In Brazil, my original country, I used to live on a farm, and every year, nine-month before Christmas, my father used to buy a young OX, and then, my family and I have to feed it and take care of it. Then, nine months later, the animal will be ready to kill, that is my favorite part because my father slaughters the animal and lift it with a tractor with a bucket. After cutting and separating the pieces of meat, my father chooses the best part that is the rump steak, and one day before Christmas, he prepares it, with his special ingredients.

— Estevao, Neitzke