Latin Heritage Month is a nationally recognized heritage month from September 15 through October 15. Last year, we wrote about what it means to identify as Latin and how that identification can mean different things for different people. Regardless of whether you identify as having Latin heritage or not, everyone can celebrate the culture in true Latin style with some fun ideas below. We hope you do – it’s part of our culture to invite others and celebrate life and to do so with food, art, music, language, and community.
Celebrate with Community: There are so many fun events to celebrate Latin Heritage in Marin County.
- Storytime: Monday, September 02, 10:30 – 11 am at the Point Reyes Library
- Bilingual Storytime / Hora del cuento bilingüe: Tuesday, August 27, 10 – 10:30 am at the Fairfax Library
- Hora del cuento de Música y Movimiento con Colores del Español/ Music & Movement Storytime with Colors of Spanish: Wednesdays 11:15 am – 12:15 pm at the South Novato Library
- Festival Independencia Salvadoreña 2024: Sunday, September 15, 10 am at the Lagoon Park in San Rafael, CA
Celebrate with Language: “¡Hola! Buenos Días” translates to “Hello! Good morning!”If you’re interested in learning Spanish, a common language in Latin American countries, sign up for Mango Languages, a language-learning program free, with your library card!
Celebrate with Food: In last year's blog, we shared the Spinach + Cheese Pupusas recipe from Pupuseria Blankita, a San Rafael Salvadorian restaurant located near the Civic Center Library. This year, we want to share an easier recipe that may be simple but just as delicious: Pinto beans, or Frijoles de la Olla, which you can make at home! There’s nothing like home-cooked pinto beans that are eaten as soon as they’re prepared. This dish is easy to make and nutritious!
Recipe for Frijoles de la Olla
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 3 quarts water
- 1 tbsp of Salt
Clean and rinse your beans until the water is clear.
*If you’re not in a hurry to prepare your beans right away, leave them soaking in clean water overnight, or for up to 12 hours. This tip is good for anyone who seems to find that beans cause bloating. Soaking breaks down the complex sugars in the beans, making them easier to digest.
Add your clean and soaked beans to a medium- to large-sized cooking pot over medium-high heat. Add the water and salt.
Cover the pot and allow your beans to come to a boil. Once the boiling point has been reached, reduce heat to medium-low to keep a steady simmer for about two hours or until your beans are soft.
* After an hour and a half, grab a clean spoon and take a bean out. Taste it to see if the bean is at your desired softness. If not, continue the boil. When ready to taste again, grab a clean spoon.
When your beans are ready, add them with the broth to a bowl. Add a sour cream topping or shredded jack cheese. Enjoy the leftovers in other meals such as tacos, or morning breakfast bowls.
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