BOLIVIA -PASTRY LINKED TO CULTURE

Carb overload - but it had to be done ! Whilst waiting in Tupiza for the 4x4 jeep journey I made my way to the small market just down the road from where I was staying. As it was Day of the dead weekend  - Todos Santos ( 31st Oct -2 Nov ) stalls were filled with wreaths made of plastic and so many different pastries !
So my conclusion is that certain pastries are linked to certain celebrations and time of the year . This time of the year the most famous is the Tantawawas - meaning Breadbaby - these are baked as an essential element of the spirit of the deceased. They are mainly baked in the shape of a baby and some are baked in the shape of a ladder - symbolising the ascension to heaven of a soul.
I also saw meringue babies ! Egg white coloured various garish colours to symbolise the deceased.

I tried a range of pastries - some were sweet , some not sweet at all  - my favourite ones being - two crispy cookies filled with strawberry jam and then rolled in coconut. Another favourite was soft meringue wedged together with dulce de leche - A caramel.

Passankallas is also everywhere - white puffed corn in various forms - due to the high altitude corn puffs beautifully ! 

BOLIVIA - FOOD AND MORE FOOD !

 Llama chorizo sandwich with a salty cheese (almost like feta) ,mustard and salad - La Paz

 Tucuman - Thin , flaky pastry stuffed full with potato, chicken, beef,vegetables and egg -La Paz - so filling - not my favourite as the filling can be a little stodgy !

 Quinoa Beer - Delcious - Bolivia being the largest quinoa producer in the world

Saltena - The story of the saltena is that a woman from Salta , Argentina introduced the empanada to Bolivia - The saltena is a crispy pastry , Fried - unlike empanadas which are baked - filled with either meat ( carne) Chicken (pollo) or Vegetables- the sauce you smother them in has a nice bite alongside some fresh onion and tomato- Delciious ! Off the streets many little shops and street vendors are selling these - mostly around breakfast time !