5 must-haves for a Trini Christmas

You can tell that Christmas is just around the corner when you hear the sweet parang music in the air and the hustle and bustle of people in the city. Around this season people look forward to extended business hours to accommodate the influx of shoppers. Excitement fills the air as the anticipation of christmas day menus for family gatherings are being selected from an array of local dishes that are sure to make an impression. There are some foods that are must have on every Trini’s dinner table on Christmas Day such as pastelle, black cake, ham and chow chow, sorrel and ginger beer.

Black cake

This baked dessert is one of the most anticipated during christmas time. It calls for the soaking of dried fruit like cherries, prunes, currants in alcohol some weeks prior to baking .The large amounts of alcohol in this cake makes it practically ageless, as the finished product is continuously drenched with more alcohol months after, keeping it moist and the flavours alive.

Pastelle

Patelles are one of those complicated dishes that no one really wants to make but everyone loves to eat. Originally a Spanish dish which came to Trinidad and Tobago in the 15th century, seeing pastelles is a sign that Christmas is near. Known for its time consuming process of burning fig leaves to steaming to ensuring the cornmeal isn’t too dry; pastelle is a staple dish in any trini household.  Pastelles can either be filled with ground beef, pork or even some vegetarian options like soya depending on your individual tastes.

Ham and chow chow

The sweet smell of ham in the oven on Christmas Eve night is a staple in solidifying that Christmas is just mere hours away. Ham comes in many variations, fish, pork, beef and chicken but are all prepared in a similar fashion adding one main ingredient, clove to have the true Trini flavor.These dried aromatic flower buds give the dish a hit of spice and distinct flavor that everyone loves.

As Christmas morning arrives, a mandatory breakfast of ham and hops or better yet homemade bread is never complete without a topping of chow chow, a spicy relish made of vegetables and spices that makes this meal one of the best of the season.

Sorrel

Besides ponche de crème there’s one other drink that screams Christmas for many. Local sorrel is a relative of the hibiscus plant and can be seen sprouting as it gets closer to the Christmas season. The bright red petals of the plant are what are used combined with clove and cinnamon and boiled to produce this delicious Christmas drink.

Ginger beer

Ginger is known for having a strong burning sensation so it’s no surprise that it’s an acquired taste for many. Despite the very strong taste and after burn experience when consumed, ginger beer is still a main feature on the table during Christmas time. This drink is easily prepared from simply grating the ginger root and adding cloves, spices and water .Best served chilled ,this drink offers a spicy pungent flavour that energizes and refreshes the taste buds.