This year my mother taught me how to make my favorite Puerto Rican traditional dish, arroz con gandules. It passed down from my great-great-great grandmother, Tomasa. Arroz con gandules is made all over Puerto Rico. Depending on what town you are from, each dish tastes different. When I went to Puerto Rico last year, I enjoyed the dish in many different styles and I loved each and every one of them. Learning how to make it was a big achievement for me as I am learning about our culture and carrying it into future generations. Food can always bring people together. Puerto Ricans come together as a family for holiday celebrations or just a simple dinner. We always make our food with love. When I think of Puerto Rico, I think of arroz con gandules and how it matches with our kind, loving, and joyful nature. I truly understand why it is called our national food.

– Raquel

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