The Foods Of El Salvador
Posted on: 31 March 2017
One of the biggest reasons North Americans enjoy visiting the tiny Central American country of El Salvador is to enjoy the waves on their beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches. With water temperatures averaging a balmy 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and air temperatures the same or higher, a place like The Last Resort Mizata El Salvador is an ideal vacation spot if you're looking for the sun, sand, sea, and surfing. Kite gliding is another popular recreational activity, perfect for when you're tired of riding their epic waves.
Dining in El Salvador is also an adventure unto its own, and both the popular El Salvador surf resorts and independent restaurants offer phenomenal authentic Salvadorian cuisine. Here is a basic primer on the culinary delights you can look forward to while vacationing in El Salvador.
Pupusas
Pupusas are traditional Salvadorian food, considered by some to be the country's national dish. A pupusa is a thick corn tortilla that is stuffed with assorted fillings. They may be filled with quesillo, a soft cheese that melts easily, refried beans, chicharron, a seasoned ground pork paste, or a combination of all three. They are typically served with curtido, a mildly fermented coleslaw made from cabbage and chilies.
Pastelitos
These are savory meat pies that can be eaten by hand. A circle of pastry is filled with ground meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans, and spices, then folded into a semi-circle and baked until golden and crisp. They are quick and convenient snack you can eat while on the go. Pastelitos are similar to Cornish pasties, popular in England and parts of North America.
Pan Con Chumpe
Turkey legs, peppers, onions, and garlic are simmered in beer and spices until they are fall-apart tender. The meat is then placed on a crusty hard roll called a bolillo, which is similar to Italian bread. The sandwich is topped with watercress, tomato, onion, and cucumber or radish slices.
Platanos con Crema y Frijoles
Start your day the traditional Salvadorian way with this hearty breakfast normally reserved for weekends and holidays. Fried plantains, which are similar to potatoes, are paired with spicy pureed beans and a generous side of sour cream. If you order it with tortillas and scrambled eggs, you then have another popular dish the Salvadorians call "plato tipico."
Pescado
Fresh fish and shellfish is plentiful in the warm Pacific waters. Whether it is grilled, fried, baked, smoked, or in soups and stews, you'll always be able to find several fresh catches of the day.
Share