Our Story
NuyoRican cooking
The purpose of this site is to share the uniqueness of Nuyorican culture. You will find a mix of some of the the wonderful Puerto Rican recipes passed down by my grandmother and other recipes I have used over the years. These recipes are simple, fresh and tasty. I also share some of my favorite photos of El Barrio and an inside look into some of El Barrio's hotspots.
THE NUYORICAN STORY (ABRIDGED)
The emigration of Puerto Ricans to the United States began as far back as the 19th century and increased after the passing of the Jones Act (1917). After the Second World War, Puerto Ricans traveled to the mainland in greater numbers. By the 1960s, there were almost 900,000 Puerto Ricans living in the United States, the majority of whom settled in New York City. While the early migrants held on to the traditions of Puerto Rico, later generations were greatly influenced by the urban environments in which they resided. The poverty, discrimination, and marginalization experienced by Puerto Ricans in New York led to frustration and left many searching for an outlet. The Nuyorican Movement of the 1970s sprung from this frustration and the desire to express the experiences and identity of Puerto Ricans born in New York City. Led by artists such as Miguel Algarín and Miguel Piñero, this movement led to the creation of music, literature and art that was unique to the experiences of Puerto Ricans in New York. The term later became used to describe Puerto Ricans living in New York.
MY STORY
I am a proud Nuyorican born and raised in El Barrio. My grandparents came to the United States in the 1950s. They met at an outdoor church event and were married five months later. They settled in Taft Projects on 115th street and my family still lives in the area.