This object is a traditional flat skillet ”casuela” to make “pan bati” (smashed bread) which is a typical side dish in Aruba. A casuela will always catch Atan Lee’s interest, since his family has worked in the food industry for several generations as he does nowadays.

“I remember her pan bati, I have never tasted one like hers again.”

For Atan Lee the casuela brings back memories of his grandmother’s house. Food is an important part of family life in Aruba, and he mentions that eating at his grandmother’s house was always a treat. She had a humble background and everything in her house was simple, but looking back now he now realizes that having been able to experience her cooking and sitting down at her table surrounded by family was the pinnacle of luxury. The casuela relates to the island as an integral part of our culinary tradition. No house was complete without a casuela. Our culinary culture was influenced by diverse cultures during various stages in our history, since the time of the Spanish, the Dutch and other creole influences from sister islands in the Caribbean.