It is impressive what I can fit seamlessly into my belly during the holidays. Endless amounts of food and beverages seem to magically make room for themselves. Like most everyone else I know, I love the holidays precisely because we have a legitimate excuse to overindulge in a way that would cause people to turn around in disgust on a normal day. Eck how can you eat all of that? Quite easily actually. Watch me!
Needless to say I’ve had lots of practice throughout the years. I challenge anyone to an eating contest on Christmas Eve, a day when my family will serve course after course on an imaginary conveyor belt protruding from the kitchen. I hear Italians might be neck in neck with Spaniards in regards to the abundance of food in their feast of the seven fishes, but I still like my chances. They may have seven fishes, but we do fish, shellfish, pig, beef, lamb, and goat. Take that feast of the seven fishes!
My family likes to start the party early, by celebrating the night before the big day. Christmas Eve, or as we like to call Noche Buena, is the day we pull out all the stops. Each year, certain dishes are the stars, there are always multiple main courses and endless appetizers, most of which are seafood. This year we had langostinos (prawns) cut down the middle and grilled with only some salt and pepper. Fresh prawns have so much flavor in them to start with, you don’t need to add much in order to make them tasty. Just don’t leave them on the grill for too long. You want them juicy and dripping down your chin when you eat them. We also had filet mingon with lots of trimmings. The red snapper was so large it took up a few place settings. My father has this horrible affinity towards delighting someone with an extra surprise on their plate, nestled comfortably next to their portion of this delicious fish. This year I was bestowed this honor as I looked down at the snapper’s eye, about the size of two merged marbles, dutifully looking back up at me.
Other years goat (cabrito) and suckling pig (lechon) are the stars of the show. I couldn’t help but include last year’s photograph of the suckling pig we all enjoyed. Usually we roast our own, but with the close proximity of the large Portuguese population in Newark NJ, as well as the other meals occupying the oven, someone ordered a lechon from a restaurant. This bad boy lay waiting on the table, as everyone busily worked to finish dinner.
Also! Before I forget. I am very happy about a gift my brother gave me for Christmas this year. Maybe the subtle hinting did just the trick. I haven’t yet delved into Coco, but I intend to do so during the new year! Cheers!!
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