Tamales
When you visit El Salvador you simply cannot miss the opportunity to be delighted by the delicious tamales, a traditional dish made from corn.
The word Tamal comes from the Nahuatl tamalli (which means wrapped); this name comes from its cooking method which consists of placing the tamales in a large pot and then wrapping them in orchard or gopher leaves. This delicacy was born in Mesoamerica and is found throughout the Central American region with different names and variations in its cooking methods. In our country we can find different forms of creating this dish: stuffed with chicken, pork, chambray, cheese with chipilín and pisques, which are stuffed with beans and accompanied with spicy tomato sauce. Corn tamales are also found, this are made with tender corn and without any filling and are generally served with sour cream or cream cheese.
Salvadorans accompany the delicious tamales with either a hot chocolate drink or coffee, and there is always an excuse to have this delightful dish served on our tables; both in everyday life and on special occasions.
Tazumal
Another distinctive characteristic of Salvadorans is that we are always eager to show our country to those who visit us, meaning you will probably have someone taking you to the Tazumal when you visit. Located in the department of Santa Ana, about 80 kilometers from San Salvador and in the heart of Chalchuapa, this ceremonial center incorporates the archaelogical sites of Pampe, Casa Blanca, El Trapiche and Laguna de Cuscachapa.
This archaeological complex, with Teotihuacan and Toltec influences, has the highest pyramid discovered in El Salvador with 24 meters aprox.. One of the most important sculptures found in this site is the Stele of Tazumal, better known as the Virgin of Tazumal; a 2.65 m by 1.16 m sculpture that depicts a character with lavish garments holding a scepter. Discovered by the historian Santiago Barberena in 1892, it is currently located at the National Museum of Anthropology.
Excavations have been continued for years and thanks to the site’s conservation and the artifacts found in it, visitors will get to know more about our country’s rich history.
So come and enjoy our dishes and discover the mystical and archaeological world that El Salvador has to offer.
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