CHRISTMAS GIFTS ATSARA

Every Christmas, whenever I have the time and the money, I make an effort to make my Christmas gifts special. Sometimes, I bake goodies and place them inside pretty plates or bowls or jars to give away to friends. Or sometimes I make chocolate candies then wrap in colourful paper or boxes for those who have the proverbial sweet tooth. But most of the time, it is usually the ever reliable and most often requested staple that we give away - the Kapampangan atsara. Many of our friends and relatives have looked forward to our gift of atsara because it is usually at this time of the year that the atsara is quite needed to partner with the regular Christmas food that we often enjoy - lechon, ham, crispy pata, and the like. And so this time around we did not fail them even though making it is such a tedious and arduous task, we continue to do so because I knew they expect it from us. I just hope they continue to enjoy our atsaras in much the same way that we enjoy making and giving it to them. Happy Christmas and Happy eating everyone!