Dia De Los Muertos
On the mystical and eerily beautiful Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, it’s believed the souls of departed loved ones return for the night to enjoy festivities prepared in their honor. Families and friends gather on Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day) to rejoice in and remember the lives of the deceased with the food, drinks, and pleasures that they enjoyed in life.
Brightly colored papel picado (paper decorations) and marigold offrendas (offerings) intermingle with elaborate calaveras (decorative skulls made of sugar) and flickering candles, to set a whimsical, yet slightly-spooky, scene. And feasts of traditional Mexican fare offer up bold flavors to warm the spirits of both the living and the departed.
This November, hold your own Day of the Dead celebration with a menu to awaken the souls of all who attend: roasted chicken marinated in Mexican spices and topped with a tangy tomatillo salsa; creamy-salty-spicy elotes (Mexican street corn); and the traditional pan de muertos, a sugary “bread of the dead” often molded to look like a pile of bones. Enjoy it all with loved ones here, while remembering those who have passed.
