The meal pictured is called dumplings. They’re a traditional family meal from China. The outside of a dumpling is made of a flour dough, which is then used to wrap around and contain the filling. The filling is a mixture of vegetables, shrimp, meat and egg. When growing up, my mom used to eat dumplings with her family for every-day meals and for celebratory occasions, such as on Chinese New Year or a birthday. Making dumplings is a huge time-consuming project, and everyone participates in making it. My mom and her family usually got creative with their dumpling fillings and experimented with different mixtures and flavors. When my mom emigrated from China to America, she brought her family’s recipe for dumplings and carried on the tradition of making it. Now, we make dumplings together as a family just like my mom did in her childhood. It is significant because it is something from her home country that she grew up doing. She has integrated this delicious meal into my life and it celebrates her culture and her memories.

– KP

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