Many people in South Florida have a Latin heritage. I don't.

My only claim to Latina fame is my sister, whose father is Mexican. She has other sisters on that side of the family who are Latinas. One of them is called Chiquita. You can't get much more Latin than that.

My sister lives several states away, and when she visited recently, I introduced her to Pollo Tropical. She had black beans and rice. I also forced her to try the fried plantains and yucca.

Me, the gringa -- not the Latina sister named Chiquita -- introduced my sister to plantains and yucca!

That's what living in South Florida will do for you.

Oh, and I also know more Spanish than my sister, just by living here.

I think I deserve honorary Latina status.