Food is highly complex here, sometimes using a cupboard of spices and fresh ingredients to create a single dish. When local curries are served, the tastes can be extraordinarily rich and the various blends, of what we'd consider exotic spices, work to form a deep network of resonating flavours and aromas. There are even dozens of different kinds of rice from which to choose.
All morning Jay and his sisters were preparing meals for neighbours. The Minuwangoda house is mostly surrounded by neighbours who celebrate Christmas, so the traditions surrounding food are amplified at this time of year. The surrounding area is rural and people know and look out for each other. It is surely not uncommon for folks to think of their neighbours when it comes to food.
These were huge bowls with special rice lining the bottoms. Each is carefully crafted to give as a gift. For example, fish and only halal chicken meat were used for a Moslem family. There were dropped off in time for lunch but the food can be served as dinner if kept in the fridge.
Of course, it didn't stop there, desserts were packed for each home as well. Traditional Sri Lankan fruit salad includes mango, papaya, and pineapple as the main fruit. Also, raisins and cashews and essences are added. His elder sister made broken jelly pudding for the containers which are lent and returned.
It was all unannounced when the sisters went to neighbours to deliver the meals. I'm sure that over the next few days, we will get all kinds of delicious things to eat as surprise packages too. Now, I'm finally beginning to understand the importance of home-cooked food in Jay's upbringing.