Seeing that round cake tin is my favorite indication that Christmas is fast approaching. I know that inside, wrapped in layers of parchment paper, is my favorite holiday treat: black cake. Black cake is a traditional dessert made in Trinidad and Tobago, my family’s country of origin, as well as other Caribbean countries. It is usually made for the holiday season as well as for certain celebrations.

Having that tin sitting on my kitchen table, in Brooklyn, is a gift in itself because I know that it took a lot of effort for it to get here. My family back in Trinidad had to start preparing it weeks or perhaps even months before it arrived here. Black cake requires a fruit base, typically made out of raisins, prunes, currants, and other fruits, to be blended together and then soaked in rum and brandy for anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Having black cake sent here every year from Trinidad reminds my family, who was born there, of where they came from and allows me, who was born here, to feel more connected to my culture.

– Alex-Nicole

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant