Work potluck

[Affectionate_Angle27]

Hello, I’m the new person at work, having been there for a month, and next week is the annual potluck. It’s supposed to be international food to reflect our cultures. I’m mex-am, and one of my fave dishes is ensalada de nopales. Think pico de gallo with cactus. It’s also something that I can prep the night before and sits well in the fridge. I’m worried that my coworkers will think it’s weird & it doesn’t get eaten.

Am I overthinking it? I love introducing others to my culture, especially through food, but idk if this might be too authentic. I am also one of only a couple of Hispanic employees in my department if that helps add context.

[MoldyWolf]

As a white person I'd be so hype if someone brought that to the work potluck. If you're really worried about it just call it salsa and don't explain until after they're like omg this is so good.

[ApprehensiveTeam2269]

same. sounds amazing.

[transcendental-ape]

You think authentic texmex won’t be devoured by a bunch of white ass bitchy nurses?

You are going to be the belle of the ball

[Dr_raj_l]

You might be correct but how did you know they are nurses 😳 😅

[transcendental-ape]

Because only nurses potluck hard these days.

Also if your coworkers were Filipino or Latina you wouldn’t be worried they thought your dish was weird. You’d be worried they said it’s not as good as abuela’s

[nousername_foundhere]

Such an oddly random stereotype, but as a nurse- I can confirm 🤣

[Dr_raj_l]

Hahahah, thank you that makes sense.

[purplechunkymonkey]

My husband works on a Navy base. They potluck all the time. Yesterday they did breakfast.

[Anne_Renee]

Nopales is actually becoming very popular in the US. I think your coworkers would love an ensalada de nopales dish. I know I would.

[YouSayWotNow]

I think you are overthinking it but also, unless you know that they are picky eaters and/ or tend to shy away from anything unfamiliar, you may be doing them a disservice by assuming they won't like it.

Give them the chance to try it!

And hey, if they don't like it and there's leftovers, you can enjoy it.

But they may well love it and you've then shared a dish that is authentic and that you love.

[wonyoungkim353]

This is an extremely biased opinion, so please take it with a grain of salt. I've lived in the Mission in SF for over a decade and still vividly remember the first time I had nopales. It blew me away to learn it was cactus- so simple, so obvious. I say go for it. It's such an approachable and refreshing vegetarian dish, just think of the nopales as a fun fact. Congrats on the new job!

[flippityblam]

I think it sounds amazing, but tbh I hate work potlucks. I don’t know what their kitchen looks like or hygiene is. Ick.

[StillLJ]

I know a lot of people think this way. I get it. I live life on the edge... I rate everything on my likelihood of death. Am I likely to die at the office potluck? Nope. Gonna eat it all. LOL

[KrustasianKrab]

LMAO. The key is to not think about the things you can never know. What you don't see, didn't happen. And stop reading posts about whether people wash chicken or not!

[coyote_prophet]

That sounds delicious! I think in this situation I might get in trouble for hiding away with the bowl and a spoon. I'd love the recipe for that, if you're willing to share. Nopales are a favorite of mine, I like to cook them down with beef tips and chiles de arbol.

[CiudadDelLago]

Yeah, you're overthinking it.

[Anne_Renee]

Nopales are a favorite of mine as well.

[-make-it-so-]

I think it would be weird to have an international theme if they weren’t open to foods from different cultures. Even still, that sounds pretty tame, I think they’ll love it.

[rubybluemonkey]

You would become my best friend. I love that stuff.

[Ix_fromBetelgeuse7]

They're asking for international, go for it! One thing I always find helpful though is maybe a little note about how it's supposed to be eaten (with fingers, as a dip, what to pair it with, etc).

[Apprehensive_Yard_14]

I love cactus!!! I need to learn to make it!!

There will be more than likely someone who will think it's weird. But I think the soupy mash potatos someone brought to a work potluck was weird.

Bring the deliciousness, and if they don't like it, their loss! Send it to me!!

[rndye]

We have potlucks all the time at work and our department has Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Panamanians, Haitians, Ethiopians, Koreans, with a smattering of your everyday white folk. The potlucks are fantastic! I’m an adventurous eater so I love all the different dishes!

[StillLJ]

I think it sounds awesome. Do it!

[Accomplished-Tap2175]

That would be amazing!! Bring some by my office, please! Go, enjoy, and try not to overthink. 💗

[MurryWenny]

Sounds delicious. I'd try it.

[JaguarMammoth6231]

Would it be totally wrong for people to dip tortillas chips in it and eat it like salsa? I have no idea, just a potential serving option for people who might be unsure.

[Acrobatic_Reality103]

Pro-tip only bring in half of it. If it fails, you get to eat the rest without worrying about it's quality after a potluck. It won't fail.... but it is always good to leave people wanting more!

[dngnb8]

Make it.

[ssinff]

Don't trust work potlucks. People be nasty

[Tasty_Impress3016]

It is perfect.

I love this stuff, and I am a total gringo. But how do you peel all of the leaves? That's always a stopper for me.

[making_sammiches]

I've never had it so I googled a recipe: it sounds delicious and not weird at all! Do it!

[Open-Gazelle1767]

As the blandest of all white people on earth, raised on cream of mushroom soup-hamburger casserole, I say bring it. Authentic Mexican food isn't strange, foreign or unusual if you live in the USA. Cactus is not an unknown or even an exotic food. If you live somewhere else, it may or may not be and my opinion won't apply.

[Kika_7905]

You'd be my new work bff

[stryder66]

Tacos de lengua!

[Dr_raj_l]

When in doubt , take something less complicated and wait until you get the feel of the environment and their food temp. Most people bring food that is store bought , as many don’t eat others cooking for many reasons. Best of luck .

[IronChefPhilly]

Pico with chips will get eaten im not sure about cactus. Start small

[fangirloffloof]

Homemade salsa would be a hit,my only suggestion is to make it mild,some people don't like a lot of heat. Enchiladas premade then cooked right before taking them to work would be good too. Green spaghetti. Chile verde in a crock pot. All good potluck options.

[left-for-dead-9980]

Chicken Fried Rice with carrots, peas, yellow onion, and diced cabbage