Pupusas

The countries south of ours have an amazing number of variations on cornmeal dough filled with something delicious and savory: tamales, gorditas, enchiladas, arepas, sopes. A couple of days ago, at Sabor Latino in Springdale, I had two of the more delicious examples: pupusas and Guatamalean tamales. Pupusas are from El Salvador: fatter than a tortilla, thinner than a tamale, they're like a chubby filled corn pancake. I had one filled with cheese, which was delicious though a little bland--it was that young white cheese that gets kind of stringy when it melts, and the masa dough was just a little sweet, very corny and crisp from the griddle. The one filled with chicharron--savory pork bits-- was even better. But the Guatemalan tamale was the real find: I had just one, stuffed with chicken. The corn dough part was fluffy, almost souffle-like, it was so creamy and smooth. It was filled with bits of spicy chicken and a little red pepper. I asked the server if you can buy them in large amounts to take home and I think she said you could. Which would make one heck of a good thing to serve at a party.

Sabor Latino will be at the Cincy-Cinco fest May 3 & 4, along with many other Latino restaurants and caterers. I went last year and made a feast of it. You'll be able to try many of the variations of masa and filling I mention above, along with Colombian empanadas, churros, raspados, etc.

Sabor Latino is where Sabor Peruana used to be: 11512 Springfield Pike, Springdale, 513-772-5503