The object I chose for my immigration study is a dish called Gallo Pinto* (which in Spanish means spotted rooster). This dish is a traditional breakfast in Costa Rica, which was originally prepared by farmers as a filling meal before going out to work in the fields. The ingredients are rice, black beans, bell peppers, onions and butter. Often it is served with strong black coffee, fruit, tortillas and Salsa Lizano (a brand of condiment sauce).
Gallo Pinto is both a filling meal for farmers, and also a cheap meal. Except for the butter, the ingredients cost very little money. Some people used lard (manteca or pig fat), which cost much less. The meal also includes a lot of protein because of the beans. This meal was very important to farmers in Costa Rica back when banana and coffee plantations started in Costa Rica.
I chose this dish because when my dad made it for me, I realized it was a food I enjoyed, and I wanted to learn more about it. I was born in the United States, and so was my mom, but my dad was born in Costa Rica which makes me the son of an immigrant. My dad came to the U.S. when he was 18 in 1995 to go to college in Washington D.C. I was able to see Costa Rica myself when I went there with my brother two years ago.
A question I have for my ancestors is who first created the original recipe for Gallo Pinto and how is it a mixing of cultures? 

*Pronounced: gah - yoh, peen - toh

– AK

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant