A festive culinary adventure unfolded as Siobhan Connally and a friend tackled the challenging task of making traditional holiday treats known as buneulos on Christmas Eve. With a sense of urgency, Connally agreed to assist her friend, who arrived equipped with essential ingredients such as a dozen eggs, a quart of neutral oil, a sack of flour, and various spices. Together, they aimed to create these delicate fritters, a family tradition that had become a labor of love.
As they set up their makeshift assembly line, Connally’s friend patiently introduced the process. A snowflake-shaped mold, reminiscent of a cookie cutter, would be used to shape the fritters before they were fried. “When dipped in the thin batter and immersed in the bubbling oil, the fritters will crisp up beautifully,” she explained. The steps were straightforward: measure, mix, dip, fry, dry, and dust with cinnamon sugar.
However, the journey took an unexpected turn when the first fritter stubbornly clung to the mold. The duo faced a series of setbacks, as subsequent attempts met with similar resistance. After multiple scrapes, washes, and retries, frustration began to set in. They debated whether the oil temperature was to blame, pondering if it was too hot or too cold.
“I don’t want to tie up your night,” her friend suggested. “Maybe these buneulos just aren’t meant to be this year.” Yet, Connally was not ready to concede defeat. With memories of a long-forgotten deep fryer tucked away in the cabinets, she proposed a new plan. “Perhaps the fryer would maintain a consistent temperature,” she suggested.
After a brief search and a trip to the grocery store for more oil, they set the fryer in motion. Connally’s son, a college freshman, joined the effort, rolling up his sleeves to help. Soon, they had the assembly line operational again. The transformation was remarkable, as the snowflakes bloomed in the oil without needing any prying.
The atmosphere in the kitchen lightened as they worked together, laughing and sharing stories, with Connally’s son frying while the others dried and packed the finished treats into boxes for distribution. This shared experience reinforced the spirit of perseverance, culminating in a successful batch of festive goodies.
As Connally reflected on the evening, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. “I’m so glad we persevered,” she noted, recognizing the joy that comes from collaboration and tradition. Connally, a writer and photographer based in the Hudson Valley, continues to share stories of family life through her weekly column, celebrating the connections that make holiday moments special.
