Pupusa

A pupusa is a cherished traditional dish from El Salvador and Honduras, crafted from cornmeal or rice flour and typically filled with delicious ingredients like cheese, chicharrón (fried pork), squash, or refried beans. In El Salvador, pupusas are so esteemed that they have their own national day of celebration!

The name "pupusa" is believed to originate from the Nawat word "kukumutzin" which may stem from the verb "pupusawa" meaning to puff up. These delectable treats boast a rich history, dating back nearly 2000 years to the Pipil tribes of El Salvador. Over the centuries, pupusas have evolved, adopting various shapes, sizes, and fillings. The Salvadoran civil war in the 1980s prompted many Salvadorans to emigrate, spreading the love for pupusas to countries like the United States, Canada, and even Australia.

There is a friendly rivalry between El Salvador and Honduras over the true birthplace of the pupusa. In El Salvador, regional variations abound, such as pupusas de arroz (made with rice flour) and pupusas de banano (banana pupusas). Similar dishes can be found in neighboring countries, including Mexico's gorditas and Venezuela and Colombia's arepas.

Pupusas are not just a cultural staple; they play a vital role in El Salvador's economy. Ingredients like loroco (a type of edible flower used in pupusas) are exported, and the sale of pupusas provides income and employment for many Salvadorans, particularly women.