Christmas Eve 2008

For the first time EVER we spent Christmas Eve in our own home. It was just Michael and me with the girls, since Dan, Sarah and D.J. are home in New York. We decided to make it a little Puerto Rican Christmas Eve. Maybe not as great as our dear Abuela's, but it was time to give it a try. So we set off to the International import store to buy fresh/frozen gandules (pigeon peas), coco rayado (grated coconut), yucca (manioc or tapioca), green plantains, and achiote (annato seeds). Normally Joann's mother would make pasteles for Christmas Eve, but we were not strong supporters of the pasteles. We decided to make alcapurrias instead. Our dinner consisted of roast pork, gandules guizado (Which is pigeon peas cooked with a mixture of garlic, onions, bell pepper, cilantro, oregano, a little achiote, and water. It is much like a pot of beans, but so much better!), rice, alcapurrias, tostones (fried green plantain slices), salad and some home made Coquito. Each one of us did a part of the meal and we participated like a well oiled machine. Great team work!! It all went as scheduled and was absolutely delicious!! We really felt the spirit of Abuela with us.