As a proud first generation Dominican, Caitlyn Rivas, a Junior at Bethpage High School, shares her meal and the generational culture behind it. 

Tres Golpes, often served as a breakfast meal, is an eclectic plate of mashed plantains, which is called “mangú”, fried cheese, fried eggs, fried salami, and sometimes consists of sliced avocados. Tres Golpes is a traditional Dominican dish that is well known. When tourists visit the Dominican Republic, they are usually eager to try this dish. 

Caitlyn said, “Usually my grandma is the one that makes it. I live with both my mom and grandma, but we have a big family.” 

Caitlyn’s Dominican heritage is characterized as heavily “food oriented”. She explained that not only do cultural foods resonate with her own identity, they illuminate a sense of nationalism. 

Caitlyn explains “I feel proud when I walk into Hispanic or Puerto Rican restaurants and see the foods that I eat and see others enjoy it as well.” 

Caitlyn’s story is similar to a story of another student with a strong cultural heritage. Coming from a big family, estatically explaining Tres Golpes with no hesitation, and her openness to her Dominican heritage bridges the gap between cultural foods and cultural identity. 

By sharing Caitlyn’s story, I hope people make their own special connection to their identity through their favorite foods. If you would like to share your own story, please email me or leave a comment! ([email protected])