The Island of Puerto Rico is still in the recovery stages since Hurricane Maria devastated it in September, 2017.
Many are still without electricity, clean water, everyday needs such as food, clothing, simple essentials and telephones.
During this time of giving – perhaps, you can donate to this cause:
Somos una voz – We are one voice: donate here
One day, the island will return to the beauty it once was as shown in this video – Sung by native Puerto Rican Marc Anthony
I’ve posted this before, but this year, it has so much more meaning for those of us who helplessly wait for news
from family members living on the island in the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
My first Christmas experience of Puerto Rican traditions was in 1963
when I was sent to a private Benedictine Monastery high school called Colegio de Nuestra Señora de la Valvanera.
I was a senior. I lived with my maternal grandmother’s sister, her 5 children,
my maternal great grandmother, who was a Taino Indian, and completed the family.
I had been raised in an orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York,
while attending Transfiguration Catholic school, up until that point.
When I first arrived in Puerto Rico, I was very unhappy after the first month. I had summered there but only for a month at a time.
I missed my former life.
Then, as I began to experience this very new culture, I started to feel an emotional connection I’d never felt before.
My great grandmother, Pagua, knew I wasn’t feeling like I belonged. She began to tell me stories of her ancestors and their traditions.
Below is one of the traditions I experienced during my first holidays on this personal cultural journey .
I hope you’ll try this very easy to make beverage and, perhaps, incorporate something
that sounds like a positive tradition in this story to your holiday festivities.
2017©Isadora DeLaVega
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coquito is a traditional drink served during Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Fiesta de los Tres Reyes celebrations. The drink is similar to eggnog except with rum. In many households, it’s prepared days ahead in order to allow the flavors to blend well. This particular recipe does not call for raw eggs. Nor does it call for you to crack open a fresh coconut. It’s a very simple mixed drink. There’s another recipe below that is made with eggs. It depends on your family tradition as to which way you make it. No matter which way you decide to make it, remember that it is a lot more powerful than you think.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes – tastes best if left in the fridge overnight
Ingredients:
2 15-ounce cans cream of coconut
2 14-ounce cans condensed milk
1 can coconut milk
6 ounces Puerto Rica Bacardi white rum (use less or more if you like)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh grated coconut (coco rallado) for garnish
and/or cinnamon sprinkled on top
Preparation: 1. Mix all ingredients in a blender.
Refrigerate for about an hour before serving.
Coquito must be kept refrigerated until served.
Serve as a cocktail in a shot glass.
Enjoy … !!!
Serves: This recipe makes about 36 ounces.
This is a traditional song sung by the carolers.
Another recipe for this traditional drink:
Coquito is gluten-free. To make it dairy-free substitute the milks (except coconut) with rice, soy, hemp, , or almond milk and double the sugar. If you want to lower the sugar content; substitute all of the sugar for agave nectar or brown rice syrup.
1 can coconut milk
1 can coconut cream
2 cans evaporated milk
2 cans condensed milk
fresh grated coconut (coco rallado)
1 liter white Puerto Rican Rum (Bacardi)
cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ tsp vanilla
¼ tsp salt
8 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
In a bowl add egg yolks, sugar, milk, salt, cinnamon, vanilla and mix well. Add evaporated and condensed milks, rum, and coconut cream and coconut milk. Add grated coconut and mix well. You can mix all of the ingredients in a blender. Pour coquito into bottles with sealable tops and add the cinnamon sticks to each bottle. Refrigerate and serve cold.
December 16, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Oh, this takes me back home!! Just what I needed today!!
Feliz Navidad …
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December 17, 2017 at 5:03 am
I’m so pleased that it brought back memories for you. I’m still waiting to hear about my mentally challenged brother who lives in a institution. Hoping the phone system begins to function soon. I’m sure he is safe. Do have a fabulous Christmas … I just purchased some traditional food from our local Puerto Rican restaurant – pastelles. They’re hard to make but oh so yummy. : ) Feliz Navidad 🌲
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December 17, 2017 at 5:07 am
Feliz Navidad!! 🎄 … gracias!! Still haven’t heard about your brother? Where is his institution located? I hope you hear from him soon.
Pasteles are awesome!! Hugs … 🌹
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December 24, 2017 at 1:03 am
UPDATE: I heard from my brothers former tutela and she has assured me that he is ok.
It was good just to hear that. Thank you for asking.
Isadora 😎
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December 24, 2017 at 1:08 am
So good to know your brother is fine!! ❤️❤️
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December 16, 2017 at 1:06 am
Thanks for sharing the story and recipes as well as for reminding us that Puerto Rico, like the many other places that were damaged by hurricanes and first this year, is in need of ongoing help and will be for some time.
janet
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December 17, 2017 at 5:10 am
Oh dear Janet,
I agree the devastation in so many states is hard to grasp. The fires in California right now are frightening. My home, here in my paradise of Florida, still has blue and white tarps on my roof. I called roofers immediately after Huuricane Irma. I’m still waiting for service. I went from #13 on the list to #6. But, I was told not to have hope until the end of January. I could go on about my other repairs but there are others who are in far worse positions. All will be done when the time is right. All we can do is pray and believe. 🙏🏻
Have a blessed Sunday … Merry Christmas🌲
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December 15, 2017 at 11:45 pm
I love everything with coconut, I must try one of these recipes. Learning about our tradition and family stories always help to connect, to have the feeling of belonging. Beautiful post my dear!
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December 24, 2017 at 12:51 am
I LOVE coconut ice cream, YUM …!!! Thank you for taking the time to stop by Elizabeth during this very very busy season.
Merry Merry … Happy New Year 2018
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