Page 18 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Wednesday 17 July 2024

Food culture in Aruba

(Oranjestad) - Like many other cul- meat, fish, and chicken—stewed
tures, an important aspect of the or fried—with funchi (polenta) or
Aruban cultural identity is our con- rice with stewed vegetables. Of-
nection to food and food traditions. ten, fried or boiled plantain or pan
The local food traditions consist of a bati (Aruban pancake) is included.
melting pot of different cultural and Stews are a staple in Aruban cui-
religious eating habits and dishes. sine and can are largely influenced
by Latin-American and Latin/Afro-
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Caribbean Stews. Some of the mas cuisine entails. In Aruba, our delights that you may easily find
The routine of breakfast, lunch and more unique stews and soups from Christmas cuisine is again largely around the island. These include,
dinner on the island is one that does the ABC Islands* include sopi di based on Latin-American influ- Saco*, basket, pastechi, kroket,
not completely follow a European bonchi cora (red kidney bean soup ences, most notably form Venezu- deditos, Johnny cake and more.
or American routine, despite the with pig tail), sopi mondongo (tripe ela. Ayacas and the famous pan These snacks are usually sold at lo-
major influences from these parts of soup), carni stoba (beef stew), di ham* are two crucial holiday cal snack trucks and cafes, often
the world on our culture and way of comcomber stoba (West Indian dishes, along with stuffed turkey, located on the side of the road. In
living. When it comes to the three gherkin stew) and much more. roasted glazed ham topped with the area of Tanki Leendert and Tan-
important meals of the day, most pineapples, arroz con pollo (rice ki flip, for example, there are many
of the Aruban population follows a Dinner Time and chicken) and potato salad, of these trucks parked on the side
Latin-American influenced routine. Dinner time can vary significantly among other items. Traditional of the road and often open until
from household to household. Un- drinks include ponche crema (Aru- late at night—offering tasty and fill-
Breakfast like the U.S. or in Europe, dinner ban eggnog), chuculati pinda (hot ing snacks post night-life fun. q
Breakfast in Aruba is quite simple: a time typically does not consist of chocolate with peanut butter), and
cup of coffee or tea, some bread, a whole (warm) meal. Instead, the homemade fruit punch. Desserts in- *ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Cu-
and sometimes an egg. Sometimes, evening “meal” can typically con- clude, bolo di pistachio (pistachio racao
due to the need of a quick “to-go” sist of something lighter, like a sand- cake), bolo di cashupete (cashew *Pan di ham: Derived from the Venezu-
elan Pan de Jamon (rolled up bread
breakfast, you may also find many wich, though it is not uncommon to cake), quesillo (flan), bolo preto with ham, raisins and olives)
snack trucks and cafes that sell see leftovers from the main meal (dark fruit cake), drigidek (ginger- *Saco: Saco literally means “bag”.
sandwiches, pastechis (meat pie), reheated and eaten again. Tea bread), pan boyo (bread cake) Saco contains fried potatoes, plantains,
arepas and empanadas early in and coffee are often also served and more. chicken (and ribs) and a Johnny cake,
the morning. with the evening snack. served in a paper bag.
Snacks and tasty delights
Main Meal (Religious) Holidays Besides meals and dishes that are Source: Voeding, voedingsgewoonten
en gerechten op Aruba (Nutrition, Food
The main meal is typically eaten in Christmas is probably the biggest eaten on the dinner table, Aruba Traditions and Dishes on Aruba) by Bib-
most households around noon or in global holiday, and every culture also has a food tradition that in- lioteca Nacional Aruba
the afternoon. This can consist of has its own spin on what their Christ- cludes snacks and other tasty

Newly weds Michael and Lindsey

celebrating their honeymoon in the

tropical paradise of Aruba!

(Oranjestad)—Aruba Today had the pleasure to hear last week that one of Aruba’s most
doting visitors has once again visited us for their honeymoon.

Michael Ciurleo and Lindsey Shapiro recently got married in NY on June 7th. Accord-
ing to what we heard, Aruba is a special place for the both of them because they got
engaged here and currently are celebrating their honeymoon. In the future they look
forward to many Aruba visits to celebrate their love. Congratulations Michael and Lind-
sey, we wish an abundance of love in this next chapter of your lives!q