Make and taste Haitian pumpkin soup, Puerto Rican savory pasteles and sweet rice pudding.

Join chefs Chris Paul and Selena Natal for a hands-on cooking experience focusing on the traditions surrounding the winter holidays in Haiti and Puerto Rico. We will prepare Soup Joumou, a traditional Haitian dish prepared with pumpkin and beef in celebration of January 1st and the liberation of Haiti from France, alongside the Puerto Rican holiday dishes of Pasteles and Arroz Con Dulce. Pasteles are a savory meat and green banana dish made for generations in large quantities with extended family, and arroz con dulce rounds out the menu as a rich, sweet taste of the season. Learn more about the cultural and historical significance of these recipes and enjoy generous samples.

Pre-registration is required via Eventbrite; tickets are $25 per person. SNAP eligible participants are provided with a free ticket, with advance communication. Please call the Culinary Literacy Center at (215) 686-5323 to receive one of these reserved tickets, no questions asked. For more information, email kitchen@freelibrary.org