By: Rebecca Smith | @smithsinbloom

Nochebuena—literally "Good Night"—is the night for many Latinos. Think Christmas Eve, but louder, longer, and packed with love, laughter, and legendary food. From roasting lechón to passing around abuelita’s pasteles, this night is about gathering with family and friends to eat, dance, and stay up way too late.

For many of us, it’s less about Christmas morning and more about the magic of the night before—sharing traditions passed down through generations, reconnecting with loved ones, and making space for anyone who wants to join in the fun. Join us in celebrating this special night and bring a little extra sabor to your holiday traditions!

Yuca is one of our favorite vegetables to cook with in our cocina, and it's certainly not something we're excluding on the Nochebuena table. While everyone else is caught up on the main dishes, we consider Yuca Frita the real MVP of the Nochebuena spread. It's crunchy, salty, and the perfect side dish to munch on while you're waiting for the pernil to finish roasting. We also highly recommend preparing a special sauce to dip it in - bonus points if it includes our delicious Sofrito!