I am the very proud daughter of my mother who happens to be Puerto Rican. As a Puerto Rican child, there are a ton of things you become acquainted with and know all of your life, that other kids don't. Here are just a few.
1. Arroz con gandules
My mouth is watering just looking at it. What a beautiful sight.
2. Pasteles
These may appear to be unappetizing to the foolish, but you know that when you see those wrappers in a pot, you'll have a feast. They're our version of tamales, and they're delicious.
3. Goya Products (Sofrito, Adobo, Sazon)
If it tastes good, it was made with a Goya product.
4. Butter?...Nope!
Whether it's leftovers or sofrito, you can never find the butter on the first try. Ever.
5. Chupacabra
My mom used to threaten me with this all the time. A chupacabra is kind of like Puerto Rico's Big Foot, except he runs around sucking the blood of all the goats. Pretty terrifying.
6. Coqui
7. Playing Dominoes
Bored? Let's play dominoes!
8. Platanos (tostones, mofongo, maduros , you name it)
Honestly, platanos are an entirely different food group.
9. Vicks
This cured every single sickness. No questions asked.
10. El Cuco
El Cuco is our version of "the boogie man," and every Puerto Rican parent's way to get their child to behave.
11. Cookie/Sewing can
A box filled with disappointment to every Puerto Rican child. You think maybe today there will actually be cookies, but nope...it's still your abuela's sewing kit.
12. Your Birth Name vs. When Your Mom Is Pissed Name
13. Arepas
Whether it's to eat them with soup or with beans, you know that nobody makes these better than your mom.
14.Chancleta
If you heard your mom reach for her shoe, you knew you were going to get it. Pow pow.
15. Guava, Cheese, and Crackers
The go-to appetizer or ultimate snack.
16. Dancing
Yeah, Puerto Ricans are the masters of dancing. Must be our incredible music.
17. Dinner Call
This is when your mom screams that dinner is ready, no matter where in the house you are. You can be in the kitchen and she'll still scream "DINNER'S READY!"
18. Pointing With Lips
Your titi, your mom, your abuela...everyone does the same thing.
19. Vacuum Wakeup Call
When you wake up to the sound of the vacuum, you know you better get up and help. Family is coming.
20. Quenepas
These little fruits are something my cousins would climb trees to get every time I visited. You crack open the green skin and suck off the flesh from the pits. I wish I had some right now.
21. Pilones
These lollipops are my mom's absolute favorite candies, and she always asks my abuela to send some over when she can. And when she's not looking, I steal a few (sorry mom).
22. Alcapurrias
Made with ground beef, plaintains and yautía root, when my dad and I hear these frying, we team up, sneak into the kitchen and take whatever's ready and confuse my abuela. Is it mean? Maybe. But they're too good to not steal.
23. Pernil
Nothing makes the house smell better than pernil. This is just shredded pork, but don't underestimate its tastiness.
24. Coquito
This is Puerto Rico's version of eggnog, made with rum, coconut milk, sweet condensed milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. If you ever want an alternative, you'll probably fall in love with it.
25. Flan
The BEST dessert EVER. Mi titi makes the BEST flan.
26. Pollo Guisado
Chicken and potatoes in a thick stew over rice = something I crave 24/7. God bless my mom.
27. Bacalao
This is something my dad always eats, and growing up I just thought these were bananas. But nope, it's fish. Nevertheless, he loves it A LOT.
28. Bay leaves
Maybe it's just me, but I'm 99% sure my mom put these in EVERYTHING. Not sure what they do, but I know that every time I accidentally bit into one, the food tastes phenomenal.
29. Pina Coladas
Okay, people always debate where pina coladas come from, but I have yet to find a pina colada that beats the ones my mom makes. So, I'm giving credit to my background.
30. A BIG Family
Being Puerto Rican is one of the biggest parts of my identity, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
