National Sofrito Day
March 11, Tuesday
What is Sofrito?
Sofrito is a highly seasoned cooking base made from a blend of ingredients that are sautéed to develop rich flavors. While recipes vary depending on the region and family tradition, the most common ingredients include:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Peppers (such as bell peppers or aji dulce)
- Tomatoes
- Herbs like cilantro or culantro
- Olive oil
In Puerto Rican cuisine, green sofrito—often called “sofrito verde”—is especially popular and is made with green peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro, culantro, and sometimes recao. In Spanish cooking, sofrito might include tomato and paprika sautéed in olive oil. Each variation brings its own unique taste to specific cuisines.
History and Cultural Importance
The idea of celebrating National Sofrito Day is rooted in honoring the cultural heritage and culinary traditions of the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora. Sofrito is more than just an ingredient; it is a cornerstone of communal cooking and shared family recipes passed down through generations.
By dedicating a day to sofrito, cooks and food lovers celebrate the diversity of Latin flavors and recognize how these cooking traditions enrich global cuisine.
Ways to Celebrate National Sofrito Day
- Cook a meal using your favorite sofrito recipe
- Try making sofrito from scratch with fresh ingredients
- Share your family’s sofrito recipe with friends or on social media
- Explore how different regions adapt sofrito to their local palettes
- Support Latinx-owned restaurants or food businesses
National Sofrito Day on March 11 is not just about celebrating a delicious cooking base, but also about honoring the deep cultural roots and common threads that bind Latin cuisine together. Whether you're new to using sofrito or it's already a kitchen essential, this day is a flavorful opportunity to explore, cook, and connect.