Spectrum News 13 anchor Ybeth Bruzual shares Thanksgiving tradition
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, for Spectrum News 13′s Ybeth Bruzual, it’s all about getting that quality time in with family. But a well-seasoned bird helps too.
Bruzual recently shared a tradition that she started back in 2007, and one that has become incredibly important to her family.
“15 years ago, I was pregnant and I said to myself, I better start practicing this whole like Thanksgiving meal situation because I’m going to become a mom and this is going to fall on me,” she said.
“For years, my aunt Edna has made this recipe that is very popular. It’s called Pavochón. ‘Pavo’ means turkey and ‘chón’ is the back end of the word lechón,” she explained.
“My whole life I had heard her talk about this, so she faxed me the recipe from a newspaper clipping that she had and so I started with baby in my belly, 15 years ago, and [now] I make this every single year for my family.”
The key to the recipe is in the seasoning.
“It’s a lot of garlic [and] oregano [and] you season your turkey the same way you would season the pork. Why is that a big deal? Because [everyone] complains about how dry the turkey is... But this, my friend, is literally like eating roasted pork, but it’s turkey!”
Bruzual added that Spectrum News 13 news director Susan D’Astoli provides fresh oregano from her garden for the Pavochón, which she uses every year.
Though the tradition started out with Bruzual trying to make her own traditional dish for her family, it has grown into something that she’s known for in the community, with even local clergy asking to try the dish.
“I was like, ‘Father How do you know about this?’ ‘Well, Father so and so from St. James told me about it. And so if you happen to make some, I’ll take a plate,’ and I was like, no pressure!”
For Bruzual, though a great Pavochon is a wonderful part of the holidays, for her, especially this year, it’s all about getting that time in with loved ones.
“I want to enjoy time because it’s here one day — and I’ve never understood it until now after the pandemic — and then it’s gone.”
Bruzual also mentioned how the holidays can help bring families together and inspire positive, warm feelings.
“There’s nothing like food and healing and family, you know, bringing families together,” she said. “That’s why I cook, it’s my therapy.”
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