Since the year 1968, September 15 through October 15 has been considered to be Hispanic Heritage Month (HHMHHMHHMHHM

Between 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Kean University students patiently waited in a crescent shaped line on the edge of Cougar Walk located in front of the University Center. The buffet of food was catered by El Parador Rojo located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. From Cuban to Columbian cuisine, El Parador Rojo equipped ALAS with all the necessary foods to entice Kean University students.

Columbian empanadas were amongst the delicious foods served. These empanadas are quite different to the traditional ones made in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico, which are made of wheat flour. Columbian empanadas are made of yellow corn dough, giving the exterior a golden yellow color and crunchy-like texture when fried. "Empanadas are related to food back in my country [Nigeria]" stated Ose Ihionkhan a junior biology major. Ihionkhan explained that empanadas are called meat pies in Nigeria and that the two foods have many similarities.

Columbian Papa Rellenas or "stuffed potatoes" were also in attendance for many to relish. Papa Rellenas consist of mashed potato with a meat filling in the middle. Unlike Peru, Columbian Papa Rellenas are smaller and are dipped in batter before they are fried. Bria Marshall, a junior English major, was surprised by all the different foods, but was mostly intrigued with the Papa Rellenas, explaining, "I never had anything like this before...it's different from anything that I've ever eaten." 

Others liked the idea of discovering the meat in the center of the stuffed potato, like sophomore psychology major Stefanie Callahan, specifying, "I didn't know that there was any meat inside...I enjoyed it very much!"

Columbian buñuelos are treated as a Christmas treat accompanied with natilla-sweet Columbian style custard.  These yellow-brown orbs can range from savory to sweet; the outer layer is hard while the interior is soft. "I didn't think this [buñuelos] would be sweeter than the empanada," exclaimed Tatyana Gibson, a sophomore business major, after she took a bite of the fried globe. As the picnic began to come to a close, the last bits of food and dessert were snatched up, such as dulce de leche (caramel).

If students would like to know more about ALAS, please visit their CougarLink page at https://kean.collegiatelink.net/organization/alas/about. For more information about caterer El Parador Rojo, visit www.paradorrojo.com