Malasadas on Christmas

By Lucia Dorsey (grade 9)

Every Christmas, my family and I make malasadas for breakfast. This Portuguese delicacy is not only a delicious way to start off the day, but also a tradition that has been around long before I was alive. The recipe we use belongs to my great aunt Ivy who created it to carry on the history that comes with it. Ivy was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1912. In 1884, her father's family emigrated from Portugal to Hawaii and ever since, my family has grown up close to the islands. Along with plenty others, the Portuguese contributed many parts of their rich culture to the melting pot that is Hawaii. Throughout my family's trips to the islands, I've gotten the opportunity to experience many different cultures whether that be through food or the arts. This tradition gives me a chance to remember how important my family is to me and the significance of keeping our history alive. I hope that the ever so important sharing of tradition continues to be such a large part of our society and that we are all able to contribute in a safe and welcoming environment.