The best XMAS present to unwrap: Tamales

By Angel T., Jose R., Nayeli O., Wendy G., and Heyli G.

The holidays are not the holidays without tamales, pozole and other special dishes.

Mr. Rafael Nuila, a teacher assistant, ate all kinds of tamales: Guatemalan, Mexican and Salvadorian. But his favorite ones? He said, “The Mexican tamales, especially the rajas.”

Sophomore Leimy C. said her family makes Guatemalan tamales for Christmas. “I like this food because it has been a tradition in my family every Christmas,” she said.

However, Magaly G. and Julyssa G., seniors who also happen to be twins, said that their favorite food during the holidays was pozole. Magaly G. said, “I liked it because it was cold during that time…and it was perfect for the weather.”

Ms. Alyssa Ramirez, 10th grade English teacher, also enjoyed the pozole her family shared, especially after not being able spend Thanksgiving with them.”My grandma makes really, really good green pozole and I prefer green pozole, and she hardly makes it, so I was super happy to have that.”

While Ms. Sanchez, Environmental Science teacher, said that pozole verde was her least favorite holiday meal, there was another dish that brought back memories. Her favorite holiday dish was the lomo relleno “because my mom does lomo relleno every single Christmas since I could remember. so it’s a good memory. It’s like a childhood memory.”

Others, like 9th grade English teacher Mr. Benny Martinez, preferred to order in. “From breakfast to lunch to dinner, we just ordered food,” he said. His family cooks pupusas occasionally. 

But not every CATS student was able to enjoy their traditional Christmas food. Senior Alan C. explained that, “This year we didn’t spend Christmas at home. We were on the road most of the time and had sandwiches most of the time.”