It’s the second Christmas holiday in the midst of a pandemic. The Omicron variant brings new fears, and in 2 to 3 weeks’ time, we are told, scientists and researchers will have a clearer picture as to how this new variant will impact our lives. Last Christmas, it was strange not going out and partaking in the usual social and familial gatherings, and this year, it is likely to be the same. We’ll see.
I didn’t do much last year. It was the first Christmas without my late Mom. However, I did go through the rituals I learnt from her – ensuring the house was decorated by December 15, buying new curtains, bed linens and night clothes, right down to making the traditional pot of Cook-up Rice on Christmas Eve. I did all of this so that I could stay connected to Mommy, to the memories, to home, to Guyana. What was it like for you last year? What are the holidays going to be like for you this year?
This year, I am going to fill the holidays with gifts of food for friends and family friends. I will let myself get lost in the aromas entrenched at this time of the year even though they can be had at any time. The atmosphere at Christmas is different, the place is usually sunny but the breeze cool. The sun and natural light bathe various parts of the house in varying shades and hues, the colourful decorations add to the liveliness and cheer all around. Christmas music playing somewhere in the background.
I have felt most concerned about older folks throughout this pandemic and there are several that are key to my circle, my community. Pre-COVID, they would have been the ones cooking up a storm, making many treats for their family, friends and loved ones, but this pandemic has significantly robbed them of energy and the drive to do certain things, especially at the holidays, because no one is coming to eat, to drink, to while away the day or afternoon. There are times when in the same room you are apart, physically distanced, not to be hugged, or kissed lovingly on the cheeks… to be protected.
It’s those people that I will be cooking for this year. I won’t be making anything new. At Christmas and certain holidays, you want to keep it traditional. I’ll make (British) Mince Pies for the ones who’ve spent most of their adult lives in England; there will be bottles of sorrel and ginger beer as well as Punch de Crème for afternoon and evening sipping. There will be fruit cake and coconut sweet bread for afternoon tea. There will be baked ham with Rice and Peas made with fresh pigeon peas cooked with some trimmings of the ham including the skin/rind. There will be homemade bread for sandwiches and Pepperpot.
Staying connected while apart is not only about the food. It is about shared memories and conversations. Technology has made it easy for us to still be together, therefore, plan times for chats whether audio or video. It will be easy for the focus to be on memories, and that’s okay, but be careful with it because it can sometimes make both parties sad, particularly given the
distance. I find that keeping each other involved in what you are actually doing makes things meaningful and keeps the older ones relevant and needed. For example, ask for guidance in preparing certain things as you work along, or let them share how they would do it.
Make those shared memories and conversations a good laugh too. Just the other day I was thinking of all the things I enjoyed as a child whenever there was a gathering or feasting, such as negotiating for the bowl or spoon after the Christmas cake batter had been poured into the pans; oh that sweet creamy, fruity, boozy goodness. What about getting the first taste of the Sorrel drink after all the bottles were filled? There was always a little left back that was not enough for a glassful. Remember eagerly waiting for a piece of the end of the baked ham before the perfect slices were made? Taste testing is very important (lol). How about sampling the still warm, fresh homemade bread with a little of the Pepperpot gravy? I repeat, taste testing is important. By the way, as much as it is a treat, one of the best ways to taste Pepperpot for the right balance and flavour is to have it with a piece of wheat bread or cassava bread. Tasting it just by itself is okay but it is one of those things that’s best measured for flavour with whatever you plan to eat it, which is most often some type of bread.
I’ll end by asking again: How will the holidays be for you this year?
Cynthia
cynthia@tasteslikehome.org
