On those days when I feel homesick, it doesn’t mean I don’t like living in the United States and being an American citizen, but just that I miss my family and friends a lot. Those are the days that I will go to the closest Latin market and crazy or not, I go to the Colombian food aisle and feel like I am home. Just the other day I was walking in the supermarket looking for some Masarepa and I saw this little box of Triguisar and I was so happy that I wanted to buy a dozen! Maybe you are thinking, “what is the big deal, maybe she needs a shrink”.
Ok, so let me explain. This powdered seasoning is one of the most popular seasonings in Colombia. I grew up seeing it in my grandmother’s and mother’s kitchen and seeing it again in a market here in the USA made me really happy. Every time I call my mom in Colombia for a recipe, she tells me to use Triguisar. To this point, the closest seasoning to this one, that I found here, is Sazon Goya with Azafran. Although I really like it, just seeing this little box of Triguisar from Colombia gave me a great feeling! I am sure that a lot of Colombians living in other parts of the world and others, who no longer live in their home countries, can understand! I hope so, if not, maybe I really do need a shrink
Erica
Hi Felisha,
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate all your comments 🙂
Felisha
I understand! I cook more Colombian food than I cook food from the US..and it's what I grew up eating. I fell in love with colombian food and culture when I met my husband. We travel about 40 min to a store called Jungle Jims that carries ethnic food from all over. I saw Triguisar, and wondered what it was..(I always look at where the food is from in the "Latino" section of the store. My husband proceeded to tell me his mom used that back home. I had never seen it before, but instantly put it in my cart. Although I have never seen a recipe in any of my colombian cookbooks (in spanish and english) that call for it, I have put it to my own use--mainly in lentils and beans. I read on the package that it is a seasoning that has to be cooked with the food..I would love to see some recipes that call for it!! 🙂
Erica
Thank you all for your continued support!!!
Zach
My wife is Colombian and I just read her this blog post. We live in Rochester MN and cooking her food is sometimes only way to make her happy. I've started collecting her mother's recipes for this exact purpose and I just cooked Sudado de Pollo, which calls for Triguisar 🙂
Veronika Rojas
I'm glad you brought up "Triguisar" because I bought a box during my vancation in Miami, FL and I don't really know how to use it. When does a recipe call for Triguisar?
Kim
I can understand your excitement. Certain things remind us of home or a certain time in our lives. Plus, as a foodie, I get excited over all kinds of food in the grocery store!! I love the picture of the Triguisar, so retro looking!
Ben
I am with you 100%! Every time I discovered a new Mexican product in the market/grocery store my heart skips a beat. It doesn't matter how much we love our new country, our old one will always be in our hearts 🙂
Sophie
I don't think that you are crazy,...I can understand that.
Your writing is truly entertaining!
We can buy Masarepa in our Asian supermarket.
Gera @ SweetsFoods
It's strong to have feeling for your origin! Never heard about this brand Triguisar.
Espero que te sientas mejor por extrañar a tus familiares…
Cheers!
Gera
Mistli
No, you're not crazy at all, it's so nice of you to share your thoughts because alot of us feel the same way, so hearing your story makes us feel like we are ok too. Love reading your stories & really love your recipes!!
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen
I don't think you sound crazy at all. I remember how excited I was when I found brunost, a cheese that is widely available in Norway, at Whole Foods, when I came back to the states. It was amazing.
Erica
Thank you for the nice comments!
Gracias por los comentarios!
SIlo
Hola Erica se perfecta,mente lo que dices lo que habals como lo sientes pues me siento muy identificada contigo en muchos aspectos, me encanto tu lomo apanado mi esposo quedo fascinado y porsupuesto yo tambien, solo quiero decirte que lo que escribes describes muchas cosas que yo siento y por las cualestambien yo como se que otros colombianos gracias......................
Joy
I am so glad you found your Triguisar, I know how such a thing calls you back to family and home and makes your heart break and sing at the same time. You will have such enjoyment using this spice! Thankyou for such a lovely post!
Erica
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for your comment! I will send a post to you next week 🙂
Sandra g
I don't think you need a shrink at all, I understand perfectly well what you mean, I can find most Dominican ingredients (mine), but when I find some Peruvian ingredients (husband) at my local supermarket, I get so excited I what to scream right there in the middle of the isle! (there are very few Peruvians in the city we live in).
rebecca subbiah
oh I so understand how you feel i feel the same when i find a British product, why not do a guest on the things you miss most about back home for chow and chatter.
Rebecca