The holidays are a time when people can connect with their family and return to their roots when it comes to dinner table gatherings. Our students enjoy traditional winter dishes from all around the world.

Alex Gilfillian, senior: “I’m from Ireland, and I love shepherd’s pie. Eating it reminds me of simpler times, when I lived in a little Irish town. We didn’t have much, so shepherd’s pie was the best—it was cheap, simple and easy to make lots of. Each ingredient would come from one of the four small shops in our area, like the butcher shop or bakery. Also my town was famous in Ireland for our cheeses, haha.”

Summer Bulkley, senior: “We make latkes and matzo ball soup for our mini Hanukkah. Latkes basically are hashbrown patties with onion, leeks, carrots, and egg. It’s all combined and fried in oil, and it’s the most comforting holiday food ever– especially since my family makes it once a year. Matzo ball soup is sort of a dumpling soup made with matzo meal and egg. We have it with carrots and homemade chicken broth— so soothing and the absolute best when it’s cold.”

Ben Congo, senior: “My dad makes this stew that’s really good. It’s made of goat and a mchuzi spice mix. It’s spicy and nice to have on a cold night. It’s cozy. In general, my dad just cooks Kenyan food. I like when he makes chai. It warms me up when I’m cold and keeps me ‘locked in.’ I recommend it.”

Dominick Navarro, senior: “I’m Mexican, so on Christmas Eve we have pozole, tamales and tostadas. Pozole is a warm soup with chicken in it. I squeeze a lime over it for flavor. Then I dip my tostadas into the pozole and chow on that.”

Karlos Kitagawa, senior: “A dessert called Halo Halo is popular in the winter. It’s shaved ice, but extra. You add lychee, mangos and other fruits, then top it off with a black syrup paste. It’s really yummy! And similar to some Japanese desserts. Halo Halo is a Filipino’s way of expressing gratitude and appreciation.”