In the days leading up to Christmas, families and neighbors in Colombia come together to share traditional foods and desserts that have been passed down for generations. Streets are illuminated by dozens of candles and many pray together in celebrationin for El Día de Las Velitas, or the Day of the Little Candles.

Emmaus High School Spanish teacher, Mary Sollenberger, recalls her early childhood with nostalgia for the festive season – brevas colombianas.

“When I was growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money. My house had the bare minimum,” Sollenberger explained,“I remember [brevas colombianas] was one of the sweet things that we would have during Christmas once in a while.”

Brevas colombianas are fermented figs that are usually eaten with queso fresco and arequipe, a sauce similar to dulce de leche. While they are typically a sweet treat in the winter time, Sollenberger remembers it was the queso fresco that defined the dish.

“The cheese [queso fresco] balances all the [sweet] flavors,” Sollenberg er said, “We have family from farms, and they usually will bring us just made cheese.”

Years later after moving to the U.S., Sollenberger has found that the tradition is hindered by the rarity of brevas colombianas. Nonetheless, Sollenberger continues to pass on traditions of her home country to her own children