The Tastes of Hispanic Heritage Month

Rafi Zepeda '26
Rafi Zepeda '26 expounds on her favorite things about Hispanic American Heritage Month: the food!
Sitting at the dining room table with my family, I thought about the stand-alone best thing about being Hispanic. All of a sudden, it was as if I had been hit with a chancla. "The food!" I yelled. Everyone turned to look at me as if I was insane. "The food," I tried again. "That should be the topic of the article." The response began and ended with "ohhhhhh." So, I now present to you the eighth wonder of the world: Hispanic food.

First, I had to choose a side. Should I go to the Venezuelan side with my mother and the largest waterfall in the world? Or to the Mexican side with my dad and the Aztec pyramids? Then I realized that I could do both and merge these two countries together into one, like me.

I’ll start with my mom; the yellow, blue, and red Venezuelan side. My favorite foods are arepas and frescolita. Arepas are a classic Venezuelan biscuit that can have any possible filling combination. Really! Things like chicken and avocado, beans and cheese, even fried plantains can be added to an arepa. No matter what the filling is, arepas are always delicious. Now for the drink: Frescolita. This is a soda served at every kid's birthday party! It has lots of sugar, artificial flavors, and colors, and is given as an after-school treat or dessert.

Next, we move north to the green, white, and red soccer-fanatic land of Mexico. My favorite food is almost obvious: the taco. The taco is sold on almost every block and is Mexico's "obra maestra." Tacos have as many varieties as the Home Depot paint department. First, you start with a soft (never hard shelled) corn tortilla. Then, add any meat you desire, some spicy salsa, raw onion, and cilantro. Here, I must give a brief explanation: street tacos never, ever contain sour cream, lettuce, or "queso." Those ingredients are part of the north-of-the-border taco. Agua de Jamaica is the best drink to accompany your Mexican street taco and always a classic choice. Jamaica is translated as hibiscus, a flower soaked and used to make iced tea or hot tea. 

These foods are just one of the things that make these countries so awesome. I recommend everyone try authentic street food at least once. I feel very grateful and proud to have been born into these cultures, but let's face it: I do love a hamburger every now and then, too!

In the United States we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, during this month more than ever I am thankful for having the opportunity to be part of three amazing cultures: the American, the Mexican, and the Venezuelan. What better way to celebrate than through a banquet of all my favorite foods!
Back

General Contact

The Steward School
11600 Gayton Road
Richmond, VA 23238

phone: (804) 740-3394
fax: (804) 740-1464
info@stewardschool.org

Media Contact

If you are a member of the press and would like more information about The Steward School, please contact Director of Marketing and Communications Rachel Williard at rachel.williard@stewardschool.org or (804) 565-2319.

If you are looking for contact information for a specific Steward employee, please click here.
Copyright 2024 The Steward School