A Toast To Your Family Traditions This Holiday

It’s so wild that only a few generations ago, my family had never lived anywhere other than Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Ricans are American citizens, moving to a small town in Massachusetts was a huge adjustment for them. My mother would tell me how she never celebrated birthdays, Thanksgiving or Christmas until she moved to the US and had kids of her own. I can’t imagine a holiday season without my family traditions, silly antics, and a shot of coquito.
One of my major influences during the season is the way we meticulously prepare our holiday meals. It’s a beautiful fusion of classic American dishes paired with our Puerto Rican staples. All season long, we swap pasteles, roast pernil, and grind down coconut just to have a taste of the island. We infuse a tremendous wealth of flavors in every dish we make.
I was inspired to create the video below by the holiday meals I shared with my family. I toast to your family and mine this wonderful holiday season: Arriba, Abajo y Tiempo para disfrutarlo.