Chistmas Traditions
Christmas is about tradition in family gatherings. Some might have a tree lighting gathering or make Gingerbread cookies, decorating the exterior of their home and of course their traditional turkey dinner with family and friends.
Some of you got a Tamale from me in a picture and some have asked what it is. So here it is
A Christmas tradition that I learned to make when I lived in Costa Rica.
Made from corn flour seasoned with onions salt jalapeños the lard from
the seasoned port leg and bacon grease. Filled with Pork,
pork rine,rice, potatoes, carrots, plums, onions, sweet peppers,
jalapeños. It is a meal all in one, family would get together in the
first days of Dec. and we would make 200 or more.
They are cooked in a giant vat over an open fire. Then we would divide
them up amongst the family members. They made a great breakfast, lunch or
dinner or just to sit down with your guests and share a tamale over the
holidays.
A great breakfast on Christmas morning after opening up presents. No
hazel when someone shows up unexpectedly. The only difference is they
are wrapped in Banana leaves but here I can't get them so I wrap them in
tinfoil they hold together very nicely but not as tasty.
It is a lot of work but also a lot of fun with all the family members
even the kids would wrap them. Some would make special ones and add a tag
on them so they knew which one was theirs.
My daughter is Costa Rican and she loves this tradition, so we make
about 20 to 30 every year. Of course, I don't need the Vat nor the open
fire pit(O: but we have a lot of fun making them and are very tasty.
So have fun with your traditions and have a very Merry Christmas
Linda
Recent Comments
35
Thanks for sharing your lovely family tradition, those are what bring us the sweetest memories from childhood.
Holiday Blessings!🎄
KyleAnn
Thanks KyleAnn for the Holiday Blessings and I sent them back to you.
There are Family traditions that are made after childhood for our own children in this case for my daughter and grandson that are Latin American, For my daughter because this was her glowing up years and for my Grandson although born in Canada these traditions are his legacy and family back ground.
I try to keep them alive for them. In the case of Teatski hers are Live candles on her Live Christmas tree and for Micky Italian beef. For Tim. it is 7 white Kangaroos on Santa sleigh. I have had a lot of sharing this Christmas season from different parts of the world it been very heartening sharing with others.
Linda
For as long as I can remember, my aunt always made Italian beef at Christmas. She has long passed, but her daughter still carries out the family tradition.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Mickey
Mickey i am trying to rap my head around what Italian Beef would be like. Can you share with us.
Linda
It's seasoned roast beef in au jus sauce. You serve on Italian sandwich rolls.
It's a Chicago specialty I guess you could say.
The best around here is at Portillos restaurant. Besides my aunt's recipe or course.
sounds awesome Mickie thanks for sharing and a very Merry Christmas to you also.
always a better way
sending blessings your way
Linda
What time do we eat? Sounds yummy. My first Christmas in a foreign country, so this is really neat. Going caroling on Christmas Eve is like a cross between Mardi Gras and Christmas Vacation from what I can gather.
Love Caribbean food!!!!
Mark
Maybe I could PM you one.(O: I guess in a sense it is Caribbean but Costa Rica is in Central America. Each Latin country’s have their own way of cooking. They might have tamales but not as good as in Costa Rica(O: at least not the one I make and I am not even Latin American I make them here in Canada with out the Banana leaf.
What is the traditional Christmas plate over there Mark you might want to ask your other half about that(O: I probably woukdn't be able to pronounce it.
Another great tradition, Linda.
It's amazing how many different traditions there are all surrounding one very special day.
Wishing you and yours all the best over the holiday season and many happy returns in the new year.
Regards from Ontario,
Paul.
You too Paul thanks for stopping by it has been a while do you have Snow in Ontario. We have had only one snow fall so fare this year and it has all gone away. Every thing is green as if it was fall and it is raining so we are having very mild winter.
Doesn't look like we will be getting a white Christmas this year. Not good for our winter resort and the Tourism, we depend a lot on that here in the Valley.
Merry Christmas Paul
Linda
Hi, Linda.
The Tamales look great.
We, too have only had one snowfall here in Southern Ontario so far. It was about a month ago and it was the really heavy, wet kind.
Temperatures are abnormally high for this time of year but as you know, we live in Canada. Things can change in a heartbeat.
If I may ask...what kind of Tourism and Resort Business are you in or are you speaking generally for the area that you are in?
The Hospitality industry has been my profession and vocation for the last 40 years. I still promote Niagara On The Lake Wine Country to this day. I was instrumental in opening one of the first 'Winery Restaurants' here in Canada back in 1995.
It was called 'Hillebrand's Winery Cafe' back then. It has now evolved in name to be known as 'Trius Winery and Restaurant.' but is still under the directorship of the 'Peller Family.' Really nice people.
I presume when you say 'Valley,' you mean the OKANAGAN. If so, then you know that the Okanagan Valley is one of the warmest regions in all of Canada.
Incredible environment for the growth of grapes. I'm wondering if grape growers out there have taken advantage of lower temperatures to harvest Ice Wine.
Things are going to get busy over the next few weeks, Linda.
Wishing you and yours, the best.
Let's touch base when we can but give our all to those that deserve it.
In Peace,
Paul fom Ontario.
yes, I was speaking in general to our area, I was referring to the Silver Star Mountain resort and Big white mountain the tourism that it brings into the Okanagan Valley, the wet snow up there is not good for the skiers.
Yes the Okanagan is a very worm place to be in the summer time we have many lakes. It's considered a semi deserted area. Vernon where I live is surrounded by three. But very cold in the winter the lake used to ice up and we use to be able to skate on them when I was a kid. That hasn't happened in many years.
The weather has changed dramatically here. I remember winters there is has dropped 30 below Fahrenheit. But this year it is the warmest it has been.
I agree with you we are in Canada and the weather can change in a drop of a hat. We still could get a white Christmas.
The Okanagan Ice wine will suffer this year because they depend on Jack frost and he hasn't been around much this year . There a winter wine tasting here on Silver Star Mountain every with the winter Carnival and the high light is the ice wine, because it is made from frosted grapes. That didn't happen.
I am in the heart of the apple country and the apples have flourished as did the rest of our fruit so some good has come of it.
Got to run will catch you later
Linda
I love tamales, Linda.....that's a great tradition. My traditions also involve food...a great way to Spread love.
Merry Christmas,
Debbie
Hi Debbie thanks for stopping bye . Not many people have heard of tamales. One of the many things that I miss about Costa Rica Some day maybe I will be able to return, miss, my extended Family.
Taetskes tree is so original. I have known of candles on the tree in times of old but to actually see that tradition preserved is pretty special.
Food is the oldest and dearest of them all, that most all of us keep alive. A tribute to the Christ Child how loves us very much. Family’s are eternal keeping us together though family Christmas Dinner gatherings is something very special. or just sharing holidays treat with friends and loved ones.
Love and blessings Debbie
Linda
As if the taste of that mentioned food is in my tongue. My mouth is watering already.
Usually, the family gathers on Christmas day and eat whatever there is.
You gave me a tickled moment Jimmy, what ever there is as long as it is done with love that is all that matters, thank, Jimmy for you participation see you in the New year
blessings
Linda
Thank you. I would say we should not indulge too much on meat, although I love it very much because they are the culprit to good health.
Just this month we had an Annual Physical Examination and my bad cholesterol is over the normal so I have to be cautious.
Let's all have more on fruits. I know fruits in your place are cheaper than here in my country, Philippines.
I work in health and meat is not the culprit here. Bad Cholesterol doesn't come from the meat It's only the body trying to protect itself.
ya but you have banana, pineapple, mango, manga, oranges avocados over there which we don't have here and don't say that avocados are to high is cholesterol because they have the good stuff.
Over here most people don't know the difference between an Mango and a Manga. La manga is what we buy in our supermarkets here and they call it a mango.
Thanks Jimmy for commenting have a Very Merry Christmas
and a Very Prosperous New Year
Linda
Interesting, I think you need to explain to me. I heard a similar situation to the one you said, bad cholesterol is the body's way to protect itself.
Also the mango and manga.
Hi Jimmy, Your body is a magnificent organism that is working 24-7 to keep you healthy. Cholesterol is a natural product that your body produces and needs. There is a difference between good cholesterol and the bad stuff. I can't go into detail on this matter because it would be to lengthy.
I will try to help you understand, when the body gets to much of a toxic intake of food it doesn't know how to proses it so it sends it to your fatty cells hence bad cholesterol. Toxins come from our environment that is in the soil, our water and air. In this day and age these problems are basically man made.
For example processed foods, the additives that are in processed foods are highly toxic. The body will try to eliminate them but it is working over time.The toxic build up doesn’t happen over night. It tends to show up in our later years, hence bad cholesterol
The mango and the manga..........Mango is a smaller fruit with a large seed and not much fruit it tends to be very stringy and very sweet. The manga is the very plump fruity fruit that has a smaller seed and is very meaty and very tasty, much higher in citric acid hence the tangy taste.
This fruit is very popular world wide, both fruits grow in a tropical environment. It's like knowing the difference between a Spartan apple and a Golden Delicious. Both are a delight to the taste. A apple is an apple to most people as is a mango a mango. But they are of the same family only different in taste and texture.
I hope I have answered your question.
always a better way
Merry Christmas to you Jimmy
and many you have a prosperous
New Year in 2019
Linda
Ok, I now understand about the difference of the mango and the manga. In my place, mango is the English word of the manga in our dialect and national language.
If I correctly understood it cholesterol is the result of the body's defense and inability to eliminate those toxins.
So what would be the next step when the cholesterol builds up in the body?
That is correct Jimmy and the direct cause of inflammation in the body, this is a complicated subject. To get the correct answer you need to understand your body.
It is becoming the most sought after answer in the medical world today. This is my work on my website and to answer that I would have to send you to my site which to WA standers is called spamming I think I have opened up a can of worms. But I can't sit still and let people have these undermined answers that are wrong.
So if you are realy interested send me a pm
Linda
Good Morning Linda,
You know that for me I have to have real little candles in my life tree. I ordered them from Holland as my reserve was used up. The delivery company drove 1 week around with this parcel as they could not find me, idiots. It is important to have these type of candles as they burn down in a special manner, important for safety. My grandparents had candles and also my parents. There is always a bucket with water with a sponge standing close by but never ever has there been a dangerous situation, thanks to the life tree and Bolsius candles.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
This tradition is fantastic Taetske I can't imagine live candles on a live tree.. Traditions are so part of Christmas and to carry them over from generation to generation. You should be very proud of yourself keeping that alive. Have a fantastic Holiday Taetske
Oh and I took your advise and I had a good laugh also.
Love Linda
Good afternoon Debbie,
Let me see what I can do for you.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Linda,
That sounds like fun as a family tradition
so glad that you and your daughter can
spend time together :)
Happy Holidays,
Susan
Thank you Susan my daughter lives at home with me here in Canada . So we have a lot of fun sharing this tradition with our Canadian Friends and family.
Always a better way
sending blessings your way
Linda
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Mmmm sounds good Linda! For me it's as simple as turning on my Christmas tree lights for the first time, I absolutely love my lights. Gathering with family on Christmas day and sharing great food. And finally making my version of Rocky Road, only didn't make it one year and nearly got thrown out LOL.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Linda, and all the best for 2019.
Jenny
you are so sweet Jenny thanks for the kind wishes did you get a White Christmas this year. We didn't for Christmas day but today Boxing day it has been snowing all day long and it looks like it will be snowing all night also. I have always like a blanket of snow on Christmas morning then I don't care if it doesn’t snow again(O:
Linda
Hi Linda, I live in Australia, Christmas Day was about 90F and Saturday is forecast to be 112F LOL. I shouldn't laugh we have to go to a wedding in that heat. We only see snow if we drive 6 hours to the snowy mountains in winter, and we haven't done that in years. Would love to experience a white Christmas!
Jenny