In October of 1961, having been in the states for about 8 months, we found out about the delicious custom of Halloween.
At first there was the confusion of why we would be dressing up: “Is it like carnaval? Is there a parade we get to ride in?” (“Pardon me….. but your Caribbean roots are showing.”)
It was exactly like a Jerry Seinfeld routine: “everyone we know is doing what?? GIVING AWAY CANDY?” “What do we have to do?” …. “Umm… Okay, we can wear that!” “What do we have to say?” Trick or treat?? Foreign, bizarre words. Equally bizarre concept. But there was the FREE CANDY. We practiced saying the magic words, which came out more like: “Treeco Tree.”
My sister, Miriam was going to go with a new exile friend. But the girl and her dad arrived at our home precisely at 6:00 PM completely in costume…on October 30th! No, really. We (I’m including all exiles here) just DID NOT GET IT. There were embarrassed tears, but they got it together for the next night, when she and the poor dad returned ready for the festive begging. Poor thing. I think we must have mocked her mercilessly.
Even now, I remember this first Halloween in the states. I remember it every year as I’m sewing or gluing costumes or carving pumpkins. I try to remember the feelings of the refugee child learning the customs of the land and trying so desperately to assimilate. The carving pumpkin thing we never did growing up. It was later, when we created homes of our own and wanted to add our own traditions to the Cuban mix.
My home, last night was bustling with pre-Halloween activity. But I still can’t shake my Cuban roots. We carved pumpkins. (Well, the kids did. )
To me it really felt like an occasion for homemade churros and hot chocolate and I said so. When I suggested this, they all just kind of nodded their heads and agreed. Their experience has been that when mom makes one of these bizarre food suggestions, it’s usually a win-win situation.
You can take the girl out of the island….
Here’s the recipe – Marta’s Homemade Cuban Churros
Hi Honey,You really made the evening delightful last night for the kids and me. The churros and hot chocolate where wonderful – despite the mess!
Thanks for celebrating despite the other things that are buggin’ you.
Love, ME.
Uh oh! You’ve been outed! Now we all know other stuff is bugging you! jajajajaI’m really sorry I missed the churros and hot chocolate, I’ve heard nothing but good things. So, how’d my pumpkin turn out?
You did save the seeds didn’t you? You gotta (don’t you just love the English usage?!) roast the pumpkin seeds! Y-U-M!!!I have worn my pumpkin jammies all day today…October 31st…a day I can wear my jammies in public and it doesn’ matter! Gotta love that! I am taking out a ninja, a GO-GO girl complete with go go boots (I’m still sad I missed the Go’s Go’s with you and Amy) and two fairies later.
Hi! I am going to try and be on line today. Sometime after noon. Anyway, I wanted to let you know Gene now wants a Churro maker. See how you effect us? Hope your night was fun….Pam
Kristen,No, we didn’t save seeds… we always intent to…. does that count?
Pam,Maybe this one should go under the Enabler post! Maybe he’ll get it for Christmas – hint!
GIVE ME TAT RECIPE NOW – those churros look delish. And how is it you’ve never served them when I’m mooching a meal? Holding out on me all these years, you shd be ashamed of yrself.
I’m not Cuban, but I grew up in Miami in the 1960s and 70s and 80s with Cuban friends and neighbors. I moved to Michigan 22 years ago to marry the love of my life. I brought some Cuban cookbooks and a bottle of Badia Sazon Completa with me so I could share my love for Comida Cubana with my husband. I’m thinking churros and hot chocolate should become a Halloween tradition at my house, too!