Roasted pigs are an annual Hispanic tradition for the holidays but on Monday, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava pardoned two pigs as part of the county's 6th annual "Pig Pardoning" ceremony.
Spectators were invited to take part in the ceremony that kicked off at 10:00 a.m. at the Latin Café 2000 in Brickell which serves up Cuban food throughout Miami-Dade County.
This year's event had a celebrity-inspired twist, as the pigs, affectionately named Travis and Taylor, owe their names to global superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
The beloved pigs, owned by Alfonso and Lina Marena Berrio, are a family favorite, named by their daughters Valerie and Melanie Barrios in honor of the celebrity couple.
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Each year, South Florida pardons two pigs in time for 'Noche Buena', or Christmas Eve, just as the president pardons turkeys in time for Thanksgiving. But why pigs?
Around the holidays, many Hispanic families roast a pig for dinner. Roast pork is a traditional holiday meal for many families, especially Cuban families, on Christmas Eve.
The pork roasts in a traditional box called "La Caja China," which is made of wood and lined with sheets of aluminum.
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The pig roasts in the box under layers of smoldering coal — a method that results in crispy skin and tender, juicy meat.
With its rich population of Cuban and Hispanic residents, Miami-Dade County is the perfect place for an annual pig pardon. The traditional roast pork dinner is a staple in many households across the city and throughout South Florida.
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