A Chamorro Holiday
Empanadas
I will not see my grandma for Christmas this year, so I’m posting a holiday tribute for her! Fortunately family and friends recently celebrated her 84th birthday this June, so I have pictures to share.
Flag of Guam.
My grandma hails from Guam, a micronesian island located in the western Pacific Ocean. Historically a Spanish colony, today Guam serves as a U.S. naval base and Japanese tourist hot-spot. I have never been to this sunny island, but I certainly enjoy the local cuisine.
Like all Mariana Islands, Guam has influence from its indigenous Chamorro people, from previous Spanish colonizers, and Filipino neighbors. Though not paritcularly healthy, the food is a fabulous mix of island tastes. My favorite is the signature Red Rice, which is soaked in the achotte seed to give it a brilliant orange hue.
Latiya. My favorite! Basically layered vanilla custard sponge cake.
Merry Christmas Grandma!
Love,
Rachel
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:23 am
What a wonderful post, such great food and beautiful people! Happy Holidays!
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:51 pm
What a nice tribute to your grandma. All of the traditional food looks amazing (and I'm sure it tastes amazing, too)!
Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2010 at 5:52 am
What a delicious post and touching hats-off to your grandma!
December 24th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
That was a great post. I enjoyed the pics of the food from Guam. I have some friends here (yes, we are military) who have lived there. In fact one of my good friends who I work with graduated from the military base high school. I am sure your grandma will miss you but this was a great way to share about her.
Oh, I got the book! Thanks so much. It was in the last package my mom forwarded to me.
December 28th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Great tribute post for your grandma! The cuisine from Guam looks delicious.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas
January 6th, 2011 at 7:03 am
Wow, everything looks so delicious!!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday and a great New Year!