Pupusas de Queso with Curtido and Salsa Roja – El Salvador Makes 8 Servings Pupusas The Salvadoran pupusa 2 c maseca (from Pipil pupusawa) is a thick, hand-made corn 1 pinch of salt tortilla (made using masa 1½ c water de maíz, a maize flour 1 c queso fresco or farmer’s cheese, grated dough used in Latin American cuisine that is 1 T fair trade olive oil stuffed with one or more of Curtido the following: cheese (queso) (usually a soft ½ head of cabbage, shredded Salvadoran cheese called Quesillo), fried pork rind (chicharrón), 1 large carrot, grated chicken (pollo), refried beans (frijoles refritos), or queso con loroco (loroco is a vine flower bud from Central America). There is also the ½ medium yellow onion, thinly sliced pupusa revuelta with mixed ingredients, such as queso (cheese), ½ c vinegar chicharrón or bacon, and frijoles (beans). Some more creative ¼ c water pupuserías found in western El Salvador serve pupusas with exotic ingredients, such as shrimp, squash, or local herbs. ½ t salt Pupusas were first created by the Pipil tribes which dwelled in the 1 t dried oregano territory which is now known as El Salvador. Cooking implements for ½ to 1 t red pepper flakes their preparation have been found in Joya de Cerén, "El Salvador's Pompeii", site of a native village that was buried by ashes from a Salsa Roja volcano explosion, and where foodstuffs were preserved as they were 3 medium tomatoes, chopped, or 1 15-oz can of being cooked almost two thousand years ago. The instruments for their tomatoes preparation have also been found in other archaeological sites in El Salvador. ¼ c onion, chopped In the late 1950's, pupusas were still not widespread across El Salvador, 1 clove garlic, chopped and were mostly localized in the central towns and cities of the country. 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped As the population started to migrate to other areas, pupusas stands ¼ c cilantro, chopped started to proliferate in the 1960's across the country and in the neighboring areas of Honduras and Guatemala, sometimes with 1 t dried oregano variations in shape, size or filling. In Guatemala during the 1970's, ½ c water pupusas had a half-moon shape, in the Chalatenango area, it was not uncommon to find fish pupusas, and their diameter was considerably Pupusas: bigger East of the Lempa river. Combine the maseca, salt and water in a mixing bowl. In the 1980's, a civil war forced a Salvadoran migration to other Knead to form a smooth, moist dough with a playdough- countries, mainly the United States. Therefore, pupusas became like consistency. If the mixture is too dry, gradually add available outside the country wherever a Salvadoran community was more water. If it is too sticky, gradually add more found. In the United States, immigrants have brought the dish to New maseca. York, California, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Texas, East Using wet hands, form the dough into 8 balls about 2 Boston, New Jersey, Nebraska, Lancaster, PA, St. Paul, Minnesota, inches in diameter. Atlanta, and other locations, where there are now many pupuserías (a Using your thumb, make an indentation into one of the place where pupusas are sold and made). In Canada, pupuserías may be balls, forming a small cup, and fill with 1 tablespoon of found in Kensington Market, Southern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, cheese. Montréal, Québec, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alberta and in Vancouver, Wrap the dough to seal the cheese. Pat the dough to form BC. a round disk about a quarter inch thick. Repeat with the Both at home and abroad, pupusas are now traditionally served with remaining dough. curtido (a pickled cabbage relish, that sometimes include hot peppers) Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and tomato sauce, and are traditionally eaten by hand. the pupusas on each side until golden brown. Serve warm with curtido and salsa roja. There are many local folklore tales surrounding the dish. These tales often tell of diverse origins or effects of pupusas on people. Curtido: Combine the cabbage, carrot and onion in a large bowl. El Salvador Facts: In a separate bowl, mix in remaining ingredients. According to the World Fact Book, the urban populace represents Pour over the cabbage mixture and stir. 61 percent of the people, the largest areas being the San Salvador Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 1 day before Metropolitan area, and the cities of San Miguel, San Vicente (east), serving. Santa Ana, and Sonsonate (west). El Salvador’s economy is driven by Agriculture, Industry and Salsa Roja: Services. Combine all ingredients except water in a blender. Main Industries are food processing, beverages, petroleum, Add half a cup of water and blend until smooth. chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals. Add more water as needed to make salsa smooth. Population 6.5 million people (2015 government statistics) .