Hispanic Heritage Month Traditions: Ana Patricia Gámez Shares Favorite Things To Do With Daughter Giulietta

Mexican TV host Ana Patricia Gámez is celebrating the last week of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) with her family’s long-held traditions! People across the country usually celebrate with traditional food, music, festivals and more, but for Gámez, eating homemade ice cream cake and donning Mexico’s traditional china poblana dress is the way to go.

“Hispanic Heritage Month has always been an important time for me. It’s a very patriotic month in Mexico as we celebrate our Independence Day. As a school girl, I would anxiously wait to participate in the parade,” Ana Patricia said. “At night, my family and I would go down to the city square and partake in the famous cry of independence ritual. The crowd chants ‘¡Viva!’ to Hidalgo’s famous words revolting against the Spanish rule, reenacting the start of the Mexican War of Independence.”

Ana Patricia knows the importance of sharing culture with her children, so she also instills traditions into her little daughter Giulietta. “The china poblana is one of the traditional outfits that best represents my country. There are many of them and although the one I have is specifically for the state of Puebla, it is very popular and often worn to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day,” Ana Patricia explained. “I want my daughter, Giulietta, to be proud of her roots and to be interested in learning the great history of Mexico, its food, culture and music.”

“My oldest sister is the best cook out of all of us. Whenever we were celebrating someone’s birthday and money was tight, she would make this famous ice cream cake. Apart from being delicious, it is budget friendly and easy to make. Whenever I want to reminisce on old times and treat my family to something sweet, I make it for them!”

"Despierta America" co-host also remembers special moments with her sister. “My oldest sister is the best cook out of all of us. Whenever we were celebrating someone’s birthday and money was tight, she would make this famous ice cream cake. Apart from being delicious, it is budget friendly and easy to make. Whenever I want to reminisce on old times and treat my family to something sweet, I make it for them!”

The former beauty queen shared her family celebratory treat! Whip up Ana Patricia’s ice cream cake. All the ingredients are available at Target. “It’s incredible that Target has everything I need for any occasion or celebration, from décor to ingredients!” said the tv host.

• Latin American Ice Cream Cake

What You’ll Need:

6 packages of Maria cookies (such as Gamesa brand)

2 cans of Market Pantry sweetened condensed milk

2 cans table cream (light cream)

2 cans Market Pantry evaporated milk

½ cup fresh lime juice

1½ lbs. strawberries, sliced

16 oz. fruit juice of choice

What You’ll Do:

1. Combine the condensed milk, table cream and evaporated milk in a blender. Add lime juice and combine.
2. Pour a layer of the milk-lime mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
3. Dip the Maria cookies into the fruit juice and place on top of the milk layer, covering the milk.
4. Add a layer of strawberries.
5. Continue the process two more times.
6. Freeze the dessert until firmly frozen, one to two hours.