The holiday season is a big deal on Curaçao. There are twinkling lights on every corner of the island, celebrations during the whole month of December, and an array of delicious dishes to enjoy during the holidays. Just like the neighboring (Latin American) countries, most of the population on Curaçao is Roman Catholic. It’s especially during the holiday season that you’ll be able to see the similarities between the holiday dishes of the neighboring countries (especially Venezuela) and the traditional holiday foods of Curaçao. A lot of the food that we eat during the holidays is centered around the idea of togetherness and family. Whether its the creation of the dishes or the way that it’s served and enjoyed, there is always elements of sharing in the mix.

Ayakas

Ayakas is a traditional Venezuelan dish that has become part of the traditional holiday food of Curaçao. It’s a dough made of cornmeal stuffed with a stewed chicken, beef or pork. The dough is then wrapped into plantain leaves and tied with strings. The tradition goes that the whole family gathers together and create an assembly line to make the ayakas. They are stored in the freezer afterward and gets boiled before serving. Thus, the making of the ayakas used to be a family holiday activity—a pretty “sacred tradition” as a matter of fact— but nowadays you can buy hallacas everywhere during the holidays. Still, the idea of making it together as a family is still beautiful and blends perfectly into the Christmas.

Sult

Sult won’t exactly be the holiday dish of choice for many, but here on Curaçao, it’s one of our traditional holiday foods of Curaçao. As a matter of fact, it’s not even a food of choice for all locals. Sult is pickled pig ear and it’s almost be considered a delicacy that is only made or bought during the holiday season. The older generation always has Sult on the table during a Christmas dinner, while the younger generation is a bit more skeptical about this dish. However, this is one of those daring dishes that you shouldn’t judge without trying it first. It often serves as a side dish for a Christmas dinner. So, if you get the chance to taste Sult, certainly do! You will be at least one experience richer.