He roast pork It is the star dish of the christmas eve dinner in the Dominican Republic, celebrated every December 24. Its characteristic aroma can be perceived from the main avenues of Santo Domingo, where families go to the grills and street stalls to purchase it and fulfill the tradition.
Víctor Valdés, with more than 20 years dedicated to the sale of roast pork on the corner of Provocón 4, at the intersection of John F. Kennedy and Núñez de Cáceres avenues, comments that every year the price of meat increases.
“Things are always more expensive. This year, for example, the kilos cost us 50 pesos more“he explained to Free Diary.
Valdés, who sold 12 pigs in 2023, this year has only seven because it is being more cautious with your investments. “We have it at 550 pesos per pound this year,” he added.
The roast pork prices They vary depending on the point of sale. In some places, the pound ranges between 500 and 650 pesos, while in supermarkets it can be purchased between 400 and 600 pesos. However, this does not stop Dominicans, who since they receive the double salary or “13th salary” begin to enjoy this dish weeks before the holiday.
Ramona Jiménez, a loyal consumer, said that her family sometimes chooses to buy the live pig and prepare it themselves, although sometimes they prefer to purchase it already roasted.
“When we are in a hurry, we come and buy it. Today we are here waiting for our order,” he said while waiting in line at a stand near the Mirador Sur Park.
Samuel Rosa, known as “Chamo Pork“, he stated that sales have been constant. “This year the libra is very similar At last year’s price, it sells for 600 pesos,” he said.
For this Christmas EveRosa has 10 available pigs.
The movement in the streets of Santo Domingo intensifies on the eve of the festival. The avenues like Gregorio Luperon and John F. Kennedy have long traffic jams, but that does not prevent consumers from stopping at their favorite stands.
“That smell had me anxious the workand I told my boss: as soon as I leave, I’ll stop at the first table I see,” said Yasmel Nivar, who was rushing to buy her portion of roast pork.
In the position “Delicia RD“, located near the aqueduct at kilometer 9 of the Duarte Highway, sales have been increasing as the day progresses.
“People are working, but as they leave, they pass and they buy their pig“said the person in charge of the place. This year, the pound of pork rose 100 pesos, reaching 600 pesos.
Other protagonists of the Christmas table
In addition to pork, Christmas dinner It includes a wide variety of seasonal products: grapes, apples, teleras, sweets, wines, punches, almonds and coconuts, as well as gummies and other sweets that the little ones love.
At the tables it is also common to find christmas ricesalads (Russian, green, elbows and potatoes), sheet cakes, turkey, pastries, quipes, catibías, pastelón and lasagna, among other dishes.
Christmas Eve It is not only an opportunity to enjoy a feast, but also to share with the family. Games, photographs, anecdotes and memories fill the atmosphere, causing laughter and some tears of nostalgia, but, above all, reinforcing the spirit of unity and celebration that characterizes this time.
City Hall Inspectors
Inspectors from the City Council of the National District visit the sales stands of roast pork which are located in the vicinity of the Mirador Sur Park demanding the permissions it grants in order to have control.
One of the soldiers involved told Free Diary that the sellers They usually leave tables and garbage in the places they occupy.
“This cannot be shoulder to shoulder, there must be control. In all places there are rules and they must be fulfilled. “You can’t come and settle anywhere to sell,” said the soldier.
Sellers consulted said they did not know what they had to look for a permitbut they assured that next year they will have it in advance.
The Santana family He comes from La Vega, he ignores that there was a process to be able to sell pork. The head of the family, Manuel Santana, said that they moved from Cibao looking to sell several pigs. Just like Manuel, there are many citizens who came from La Vega to Santo Domingo to sell roast pork.
“We came three times since La Vega to seek this permission. The first time they told me to send an email, I sent it and they didn’t respond. I came personally and got it, they charged me a thousand pesos for four tables,” they told Free Diary members of theGarcia family.
