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The holidays are here and of course we love the food that comes along with it. Sure most Americans are all about turkey and ham for Christmas, but we’re shouting out the traditional holiday food within the African diaspora that we can’t get enough of.
Guyanese Pepper Pot, Garlic Pork and Plait Bread
This treat derived from Guyana’s Arawak (Amerindian) culture. Pepperpot is the national dish for Guyana and is usually served during the Christmas season along with plait bread, which looks like a lock of braided hair. Pepperpot is a meat stew made with casreep (a dark sauce made from cassava root). Garlic pork is a dish that was brought to Guyana from their Portuguese settlers. The pork is pickled and then deep fried. It is usually served with plait bread, as well.
Jamaican Black Cake (Rum Cake)
Black cake or, as it is also known as, rum cake originally comes from British plum pudding. The history and ingredients of the cake represents the British’s quest for sugar in the Caribbean. Made with brown sugar, rum and molasses, black cake is a traditional cake that can be found in any Caribbean household during the holidays.
Guatemalan King’s Cake
King’s cake or, as some know it, rosca de reyes originated in European countries that have large Catholic populations. A popular tradition in Central and South America, the cake is served with a small baby Jesus trinket. Whoever receives the slice of cake with baby Jesus is considered blessed or may have to host the next family holiday party. King’s cake is usually served around the beginning of the New Year or on January 6 to celebrate the Epiphany- when the three wise men went to visit Jesus when he was born.
Puerto Rican Pastelón
This Puerto Rican Christmas tradition is to use sweet plantains instead of pasta as lasagna. Pastelón is a blend of sweet plantains, meat, sauce and cheese. To wash down this savory treat, Puerto Ricans make a delicious coquito (an egg-nog like beverage made with coconut milk, sweet condense milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, rum and egg yolk.)
Caribbean Sorrel Drink
Sorrel is usually served throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Despite its various names, it is always made with hibiscus, ginger and sugar. During Christmas time, Panama and Caribbean countries who were colonized by the British serve a rum-infused Sorrel.
Panamanian Tamales
Tamales were historically eaten during the Mesoamerican period by the Mayans and the Aztecs. The Mayans called the dish Utah. It is a corn-starch crust filled with various fillings, usually, meat, vegetables and cheese. It is known to be wrapped in plantain leaves , though its outer packaging is not edible.
Peruvian Chocolatdas And Tres Leches Cake
Peruvians have a sweet tooth and are known for their rich hot chocolate. During the holidays, they drink their hot chocolate with tres leches cake. It is a sponge cake soaked in milk.
Grenadian Salt Ham
This ham is incredibly salty and usually eaten during Christmas breakfast. It is usually finished by the end of the day.
Brazilian Christmas Turkey
Brazilian roasted turkey, also known as Ceia de Natal, is marinated in champagne and other seasonings. It must be marinated for a day prior to cooking and is usually served for Christmas Eve dinner.
Nigerian Jollof Rice
Nigerian Jollof Rice, best known as Party rice, originated from the Jollof tribe which was located in the Senegambia area in West Africa. The ingredients that can be found in this rice are: fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, salt, and chili pepper.
Haitian Girot And Pickliz
This popular Haitian dish dish consists of fried pork and pickled cabbage. It can usually be found during Christmas dinner with kompa music being played in the background .
Costa Rican Pork Legs
This dinner entree is usually seasoned with garlic and orange juice to give the meat a unique flavor.
Eritrean Awaze Quluwa
The blend of South Asian and East African culture makes this dish a favorite in the Eritrean community. It is made up of spiced lamb and injera (a sponge-like flatbread).
Cuban Pudin Diplomatico
This type of flan is made for Christmas dinner dessert. Hungarians also make a similar dish to this treat.
African American Macaroni Cheese
Who doesn’t love creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese? This dish is a classic favorite in Soul Food and is made even better when more than one type of cheese is used.
