Have You Ever Celebrated Day of the Dead?
One of our neighbor's had a gathering last year. She had been in Mexico the previous year and found it very moving and joyful. Now it's my turn to host our friends and neighbors. There will probably be around 30 people. Some of them will bring food. I will do appetizer, main, dessert, and drinks. What I'm wondering about is the main. I think mole is traditional. I, too my great regret, don't enjoy it - not here and not in Oaxaca. I was thinking pork, and I've gone so far as to order two Berkshire shoulder roasts (about 8lb). What would you do with them? Any other suggestions would be gratefully received. ( I'm also worried about finding masses of orange marigolds in the Pacific NW in November!) I really want everyone to have a wonderful time.
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6 Comments:
Sounds ghoulish. Haggis comes to mind (I'd have those roasts as a back-up). .
If some are bringing food, why are you doing soup to nuts, so to speak? Inquiring minds want to know. ;-D
PerkyMac at 2:52AM on 10/13/08
From the web: "Every year, on November 1st (All Saints Day) and 2nd (All Souls Day), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico: Day of the Dead festivities. While it's strange for most of us to accept the fact that "death" and "festivities" can go hand-in-hand, for most Mexicans, the two are intricately entwined. This all stems from the ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac and Otomí) who believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives - to eat, drink and be merry. Just like they did when they were living.
Tempered somewhat by the arrival of the Spaniards in the 15th century, current practice calls for the deceased children (little angels) to be remembered on the previous day (November 1st, All Saints Day) with toys and colorful balloons adorning their graves. And the next day, All Souls Day, adults who have died are honored with displays of the departed's favorite food and drinks, as well as ornamental and personal belongings. Flowers, particularly the zempasúchil (an Indian word for a special type of marigold) and candles, which are placed on the graves, are supposed to guide the spirits home to their loved ones.
Other symbols include the elaborately-decorated pan de muerto (a rich coffee cake decorated with meringues made to look like bones), skull-shaped candies and sweets, marizpan death figures and papier maché skeletons and skulls. (the Nahua speaking peoples of pre-columbian Mexico saw the skull as a symbol of life - not death.) Today, these macabre symbols and other similar items fill the shops and candy stalls by mid October. During this time, homes are often decorated in the same manner as the graves.
This may all seem morbid and somewhat ghoulish to those who are not part of that culture. But, for Mexicans who believe in the life/death/rebirth continuum, it's all very natural. This is not to say that they treat death lightly. They don't. It's just that they recognize it, mock it, even defy it. Death is part of life and, as such, it's representative of the Mexican spirit and tradition which says: "Don't take anything lying down - even death!"
islandexile, I'd concentrate on celebratory foods and emphasize the joy and appreciation your friends feel towards life. If they enjoy mole, make it - and make a little something that YOU enjoy also, as a way of sharing with them. Sounds like it's going to be wonderful!
moibec at 8:12AM on 10/13/08
I'm so jealous. What a cool idea.
Our monthly dinner club theme for October will be Mexican (chosen by the hosts.) I sent them a link with info on Day of the Dead and they were not impressed. I guess it is taco dip and frozen margaritas for us. (sigh)
When we had a Day of the Dead celebration at my church, people brought photos of deceases family members (human and animal) and placed them on an altar - then spoke about them if they wanted. That seems like a difficult thing to do for a dinner party, but the idea of recipes passed down from the departed works. Even better if you have Mexican ancestry!
SSMom at 9:15AM on 10/13/08
My dad celebrates Day of the Dead. When I was a kid I thought it was morbid, now that I'm an adult I realize how .... morbidly wonderful it is. At the family gatherings I've gone to it's all about Mexican food, Tequila and sugar skulls with your name on them.
PumpkinBear at 9:22AM on 10/13/08
Like everyone else suggests, by all means, have fun and enjoy the celebration! But it sounds like you're like me, and want to make sure the food is good and ample. Regarding the pork shoulders, you could do a slow smoke/roast in oven/braise (marinating in garlic, chiles, oregano). Cut up and debone the pork. Then if you wanted to offer options, turn the meat into any number of different items, like the mole, cochinita pibil, green chile stew, etc. or just offer different but flavorful sauces for everyone to put on the pork. Make a big buffet with tortillas, condiments, sauces and sides. And again, by all means, HAVE FUN!
hungryinhouston at 11:31AM on 10/13/08
Thanks so much all for your enthusiasm and ideas. Perky, it's really not ghoulish. I read that the pre-Columbian belief was that you were immortal as long as you were remembered in this way. Our little community has lost some people and had some serious illness this past year, so we are asking more people than before, not all of whom grew up in California or have spent a lot of time in Mexico. We want it to be fun and meaningful and leave that glow that a really good party can. So, obsessive that I am, I worry about the food, drink, flowers, candles, and for this, the altar (we've asked people to bring photos if they want). Wish you could be here!
islandexile at 2:52AM on 10/14/08