Noche Buena and Media Noche Feasts

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The days before, between and after Christmas and New Year are the most abundant in terms of food. The left-overs of Noche Buena are still in the fridge, yet we are already preparing the dishes for Media Noche.

Media Noche is the most festive of all gatherings because there is a belief that life will become more abundant if we serve a lot.

There's also the belief about specific foods to bring good luck and fortune like 12 round fruits from oranges to grapes, "dalandan" to chico, and other round varieties, which makes me wonder why mangoes, pineapples and bananas are still seen on fruit trays and baskets.

Sticky desserts or "panghimagas" like "palitaw" or "dila-dila" or anything else that are sticky for a well-bonded family relationship.

Chicken is banned because of the fear for "isang kahig, isang tuka" life, so that probably goes the same for any of its relatives like duck, "itik" or turkey?

We're planning to prepare bangus sisig, beef kaldereta, pork imbutido "pininyahang manok with gata," no-bake lasagna and Graham cake, buko salad, - ooohhh and a lot more dessert since we need more sticky stuff.

All of these will definitely not be fully consumed throughout the night as expected but it is always pleasant and Instagramnable to look at for photo ops.

Well, whatever you decide to prepare to celebrate the occasion, please be sure to never forget that they are meant to be eaten together with the whole family - at the same time.

Here's wishing everyone an abundant year ahead. Happy New Year!!!


Image credit:
The picture's original owner is Marilyn Tumbaga and it is posted in her blog at http://movingcouchpotato.blogspot.com/2012/01/media-noche-2011-2012.html. It's actually a Media Noche pic. Just an FYI for everyone :)