Page 10 - AHATA

a8 local
Thursday 27 March 2025

Food culture in Aruba

(Oranjestad) - Like many due to the need of a quick (beef stew), comcomber Venezuela. Ayacas and the Saco*, basket, pastechi,
other cultures, an important “to-go” breakfast, you may stoba (West Indian gherkin famous pan di ham* are two kroket, deditos, Johnny cake
aspect of the Aruban cultural also find many snack trucks stew) and much more. crucial holiday dishes, along and more. These snacks are
identity is our connection to and cafes that sell sand- with stuffed turkey, roasted usually sold at local snack
food and food traditions. The wiches, pastechis (meat Dinner Time glazed ham topped with trucks and cafes, often lo-
local food traditions consist pie), arepas and empana- Dinner time can vary signifi- pineapples, arroz con pollo cated on the side of the
of a melting pot of different das early in the morning. cantly from household to (rice and chicken) and po- road. In the area of Tanki
cultural and religious eating household. Unlike the U.S. tato salad, among other Leendert and Tanki flip, for
habits and dishes. Main Meal or in Europe, dinner time items. Traditional drinks in- example, there are many of
The main meal is typically typically does not consist clude ponche crema (Aru- these trucks parked on the
Breakfast, lunch and dinner eaten in most households of a whole (warm) meal. In- ban eggnog), chuculati side of the road and often
The routine of breakfast, around noon or in the af- stead, the evening “meal” pinda (hot chocolate with open until late at night—of-
lunch and dinner on the ternoon. This can consist of can typically consist of some- peanut butter), and home- fering tasty and filling snacks
island is one that does not meat, fish, and chicken— thing lighter, like a sandwich, made fruit punch. Desserts post night-life fun. q
completely follow a Euro- stewed or fried—with funchi though it is not uncommon to include, bolo di pistachio
pean or American routine, (polenta) or rice with stewed see leftovers from the main (pistachio cake), bolo di *ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire
despite the major influences vegetables. Often, fried or meal reheated and eaten cashupete (cashew cake), and Curacao
from these parts of the world boiled plantain or pan bati again. Tea and coffee are quesillo (flan), bolo preto *Pan di ham: Derived from the
Venezuelan Pan de Jamon
on our culture and way of (Aruban pancake) is in- often also served with the (dark fruit cake), drigidek (rolled up bread with ham, rai-
living. When it comes to the cluded. Stews are a staple evening snack. (gingerbread), pan boyo sins and olives)
three important meals of in Aruban cuisine and can (bread cake) and more. *Saco: Saco literally means
the day, most of the Aruban are largely influenced by Lat- (Religious) Holidays “bag”. Saco contains fried po-
population follows a Latin- in-American and Latin/Afro- Christmas is probably the big- Snacks and tasty delights tatoes, plantains, chicken (and
American influenced routine. Caribbean Stews. Some of gest global holiday, and ev- Besides meals and dishes ribs) and a Johnny cake, served
in a paper bag.
the more unique stews and ery culture has its own spin on that are eaten on the dinner
Breakfast soups from the ABC Islands* what their Christmas cuisine table, Aruba also has a food Source: Voeding, voedings-
Breakfast in Aruba is quite include sopi di bonchi cora entails. In Aruba, our Christ- tradition that includes snacks gewoonten en gerechten op
simple: a cup of coffee or (red kidney bean soup with mas cuisine is again largely and other tasty delights that Aruba (Nutrition, Food Tradi-
tea, some bread, and some- pig tail), sopi mondongo based on Latin-American in- you may easily find around tions and Dishes on Aruba) by
times an egg. Sometimes, (tripe soup), carni stoba fluences, most notably form the island. These include, Biblioteca Nacional Aruba

New rules and regulations signs to Aruba to me
enhance your park experience ORANJESTAD — You are

back and we would like to
portrait you! By inviting you to
send us your favorite vaca-
tion picture while enjoying
our Happy Island.

Complete the sentence:
Aruba to me is ……. Send
your picture with that text
(including your name and
To ensure a safe and respon- protected area. where you are from) to:
sible visit, ACF has installed Additionally, all hiking trails news@arubatoday.com and way to keep your best mo- for supporting our free news-
new and improved Rules leading into the park are we will publish your vacation ments alive? Please do note: paper, we strive to make you
& Regulations signs at the now equipped with smaller memory. Isn’t that a special By submitting photos, text or a happy reader every day
entrances of Parke Nacio- versions of these signs, pro- any other materials, you give again.
nal Arikok (PNA) and key viding hikers with clear guid- permission to The Aruba To- For today we received a
Points to Explore, such as ance on responsible behav- day Newspaper, Caribbean lovely message from Tyler
Cave Quadirikiri. ior before they set off on their Speed Printers and any of Frost and Family from St.
hike. its affiliated companies to Louis, MO, USA.
These updated signs feature New directional signs, both use said materials, as well
a complete and enhanced outside and inside PNA, as names, likeness, etc. for They wrote to us saying:
set of rules and regulations, are currently in develop- promotional purposes with- “Aruba to me is sandcastles.”
along with newly added ment and will be coming out compensation.
key messages such as park soon to help you navigate Thank you for sending us this
opening hours and legal our national park responsi- Last but not least: check out wonderful message sharing
violations, reinforcing the bly—whether by vehicle or our website, Instagram and what Aruba means to you
protection of our nature- on foot!q Facebook page! Thank you with us and our readers!q