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El Salvador has a long history with gangs. The El Salvador Civil War hits home for me. My dad grew up during the civil war in his country. As a child, he and his brothers were forced to fight in the war along with other kids and adults. After leaving the country for a better life, I am very lucky to hear many of my father's incredible stories.

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Jon Snow: Reports from the El Salvador civil war

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El Salvador is rich in culture, but one of the most important events is Carnival. Carnival is a festival that travels city to city and last for weeks. Carnival host parades during the day and parties at night. This favorite event among the country, is celebrated in November.

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El Salvador is known for its many beautiful beaches. With its warm waters and local shops, it's a huge hit for natives and locals. Just recently, surfing has become much more popular.

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Supporting local shops

Portland has many great options for eating out. I love exploring new places but now since I'm back in school, I'm not working as much to afford going out. Recently I've discovered a self own pupusa restaurant that's close to me. Pupusas are one of my favorite childhood foods from my dads country. I love being able to support a local business and getting a childhood treat for cheap. Plus I save so much on gas that I would have spent driving downtown and waiting in traffic.

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The latino community has defiantly come a long way of what it used to think/treat mental disorders. I come from a community that used to not believe that much in mental disorders. It seems that the older generation in the latino community mainly agree that mental illness is just a 20 minute phase and that we should get over it. Im so happy to see that the newer generation is more accepting and supporting family members who are in treatment. I think with being supportive can build a strong family.

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I grew up in a very religious household. Although my mom wasn't super religious, my father made us learn about it. It was actually kinda fun growing up with Spanish churches and traditions. Now, although change is hard, we are excited to welcome new traditions. My sister has a baby and the father is from a different backgrounds and traditions. We are excited to have him and the baby into our lives and to learn new things about his culture and religion.

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This week's module was very interesting for me. The social movement that I picked was the MADD movement because it's something that really hits home for me. In my community, alcohol is heavily used whether it's at a party or watching a game at home. If you were to ask a random stranger, chances are that they know someone who had an accident involving driving under the influence. This big problem is now being educated in many schools about the risks and potential aftermath if you were to drive drunk. This week I've discovered and learned so much from the MAAD movement. This movement is all about being against driving under the influence and I am a big supporter.

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While working through out this padlet, I have really reflected a lot within the weeks. Ive learned so many new concepts and so much about the power of social change. Social movements module hit very close to me and I'm sure others can relate as well. My house hold is very big on alcohol. I come from a bloodline of alcoholics. The social movement I picked to reflect on is the MAAD Movement. I saw front view what alcohol and other substances do I wanna be part of the global change. Many people in my community and even others are also making a change to break the generational chain of abusing alcohol and the risk of driving under the influence. I also reflected on religion because it saved me from a dark time. I was able to use religion to see the positive things in life. Religion is what brings family together. I was able to connect with every module of the course and reflect it on my community. All these post adding up builds me and my family.

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Fabry El Androide - Mi Tierra 2.0 🇸🇻 (Video Oficial)

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Probando COMIDA CALLEJERA en El Salvador 🇸🇻🌽

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase.

Pupusas are El Salvadorian stuffed corn cakes served with curtido and salsa roja. These pupusas with curtido are filled with melty cheese, pickled jalapeño and roasted squash, but the filling options are endless!

Let me start by saying that if your grandmother makes pupusas, she probably makes them better than me. And if your grandmother taught you how to make her pupusas, then you probably make them better than me.

But if you, like me, don't have a Salvadorian grandmother and have never made them/heard of them, then I feel like you're my target audience today.

Since I'm Salvadorian-grandmother-less, this recipe on how to make pupusas started with me taking a trip to South Los Angeles to eat one of the best pupusas in this city at Los Churros. They were cheesy (oh so cheesy!), filling, hearty and such flavorful masa cakes.

What Are Pupusas?!

Pupusas are made from masa harina (cormeal flour) or rice flour that are mixed with water to make a corn masa mixture. They are usually stuffed with delicious things like refried beans, shredded pork or cheese. And since they tend to be so rich and cheesy, they are topped with a pickled cabbage situation that adds a refreshing, light and tangy element that really balances the whole thing out. That is called curtido.

When I made them for the first time, I realized how similar they were to arepas. When my mom taught me how to make arepas (she was taught by my father's Colombian great aunt), she taught me with no measurements, just touch and feel and how the dough looked. For someone like me who sort of thinks in ratios, it was SUPER annoying.

But I get it, a lot of this is just touch and feel. SO, since that's the case, I figured I'd do a little how-to.

And here we go!

They Absolutely Need The Curtido!

Pupusas begin with making the curtido (the cabbage/carrot mixture above). It's pretty simple: cabbage, carrots and Mexican oregano mixed together. The vinegar/sugar/salt mixture is mixed together and then poured over it.

It's definitely a quick-pickle, but it'd ideally sit in the fridge overnight, but if you let it sit for three hours you should be ok.

How to Make Pupusas!

1. To make the pupusa dough, you start with whisking the masa harina and salt together. Masa harina is cornmeal flour. The most popular brand and the one I'm used to using is Maseca. It's super inexpensive (I'd say $3 for a big bag). I'd recommend finding the Latin grocery store nearest you and taking a visit.

2. Add the cold water and mix, using a spatula, until it's mostly combined.

3. Using your hands, mix it with your hands.

4. The masa will be very wet. That's ok! You just want it to be completely combined.

5. Divide the dough into 14 (2-ounce) balls. I used a 2-ounce cookie scoop and it made this process SUPER fast. They'll resemble the size of golf balls.

6. Mix together the oil and water mixture. This will help the masa from sticking from your hands.

Filling Options

The sky is truly the limit here. I chose roasted squash, pickled jalapeños and mozzarella cheese. Here are some other options:

Braised meats. You could braise a pork shoulder, beef, chicken. And add it to the center of the pupusas.

Veggies. Roasted squash was AMAZING. You could do puree cauliflower in a food processor, squash, zucchini, etc.

Pureed Beans. I would puree the beans in a food processor to make them soft. They're super delicious with beans and cheese!

Cheese. Of course, cheese is a must. You can use Oaxacan cheese, something super melty, like mozzarella. Or you could get creative and use gouda, tallegio, sharp cheddar cheese and/or fontina.

Stuff and Fill The Pupusas!

1. Flatten the pupusa and shape it into a disc that's about 1/4-inch thick.

2. Place a tablespoon or two of mozzarella cheese, a bit of diced jalapeño and squash in the center.

3. And then fold the sides together, creating a half moon shape.

4. Pinch the edges to seal the pupusa.

How to Assemble

1. After you've filled the pupusa and have shaped it into a half moon shape, tuck in the sides.

2. And gently pat the dough, flattening it, alternating your hands until it reaches about 1/2-inch thick and about 4-inches in diameter.

3. Dip your hands in the oil and water mixture, as needed.

4. Repeat with the remaining masa!

5. Cook 'em in a pan over medium high heat. And/or you can use a cast iron skillet. Add the pupusas on a hot pan. I tried to cook them for 2 to 3 minutes but found that they more needed, like, 4-5 minutes per side.

Can You Freeze Pupusas?

Absolutely! Yes, you can definitely freeze pupusas. To freeze pupusas, this is what you should do:

1. Place assembled (but not cooked) pupusas on a baking sheet lined with parchment.

2. Add the baking sheet with the pupusas to the freezer and allow to chill and get cold for 20 minutes.

3. Transfer the pupusas to an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag and write the date on the bag or container.

4. Place in the freezer to freeze for up to 4 months.

5. To cook frozen pupusas, cook from frozen. No need to thaw them at all! They make 1 to 2 more minutes to cook.

Can You Use Tamale Masa For Pupusas?

It's slightly different. Tamale masa has oil, lard or shortening, while pupusa masa dough does not. I find it different and it's so easy to make that I don't see why you wouldn't just follow the recipe below 🙂

Tips and Tricks for Making Pupusas

1. I used a 2 ounce cookie scoop to divide the dough balls. It made it super quick and easy and made it so they were mostly the exact size.

2. Make sure your hands are always oiled. This dough is super sticky and the oil helps so much!

3. While forming the pupusas, if a tear appears, simply pinch the masa shut. Also if a bit of cheese leaks out of the pupusa while cooking it, that'll be delicious and make a bit of a cheese chip.

4. Let gravity be your friend. When you move the ball of masa from palm to palm, gravity will help make it get a bit flatter. Each time you move it from palm to palm, you should be gently flattening it.

5. When I was done forming each pupusa, I placed them on a piece of parchment. You can use a plate or cutting board, just be sure to grease it with a bit of oil so the formed pupusas don't stick.

6. If you don't own a large griddle (I don't own one) and want to keep the pupusas warm while you work your way through cooking them, use your oven. I like to place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and stick it in a 200 degree F oven. When I'm done making each pupusa, I just transfer it to the rack in the oven.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looking for more Latin-inspired recipes? Here are some other favorites: Here's a step-by-step video on How To Make Pupusas!

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Pupusas are El Salvadorian stuffed corn cakes served with curtido and salsa roja. Find a Latin American supermarket near you and pick up some maseca.

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Surfing in El Salvador (Surf City) || What’s it Actually Like!?

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The San Miguel Carnival in El Salvador takes place every year on the last Saturday in November; it begins at 10 pm and runs until the following morning. During the carnival, the main streets of San Miguel are packed with visitors enjoying the different types of musical events and other attractions.
The San Miguel Carnival is a month-long Celebration. The main carnival transpires on the last Saturday in November, at night. However, the municipality has smaller events throughout the month.

The smaller events are called Carnavalitos or small Carnivals. These Carnavalitos are held in communities all over the municipality; it includes concerts, parades, mechanical games, food festivals, and more. November is a festive month in San Miguel.

What is the San Miguel Carnival?
The carnival of San Miguel is a celebratory event that happens at night on the last Saturday in November. It is the culmination of the month-long celebrations of the city in honor of the virgin of the peace, the patron saint of San Miguel. The carnival celebrations take place in the principal streets of the municipality.
The San Miguel Carnival is one of the most well-known celebrations in El Salvador. On the day of the carnival, from 10 pm until the following morning, the main streets of San Miguel are filled with live music events and people dancing all over.

The municipality sets up different street venues so local and international bands can play for the carnival crowds. Usually, over 30 musical groups and orchestras of different genres play during the night.

The 2022 San Miguel Carnival

The 2022 San Miguel carnival will be on Saturday, November 26th, from 6:00 in the afternoon until dawn. According to City Mayor Will Salgado, this year's event will have a minimum of 50 musical groups; they will be located by zones and will be classified according to musical types.

Maria del Carmen Villatoro is this year's carnival queen; she represents the Concepcion neighborhood. Villatoro defeated 15 other competitors to become the 62nd edition carnival queen.

How to Best Enjoy the San Miguel Carnival

The San Miguel Carnival is an all-night event. The best way to enjoy this carnival is to sleep during the day and be at one of the principal city streets by 5 pm. The following might give you an idea of how to spend this Saturday night in San Miguel.

1. Experience the Float Parade

The first thing you don't want to miss is the float parade that starts at around 6 pm; it is the largest parade of the month-long festivities. The march has many colorful floats with hundreds of dancers and musical bands that shine during the celebration.

2. Taste the Local Gastronomy

After experiencing and viewing the long parade, it is time to try the local gastronomy and the local drinks. You can go to the fairgrounds or any area with small food tents. They will not be hard to find! During this night, the city is filled with vendors preparing traditional Salvadoran foods and drinks.

3. Visit the Music Events and Have Fun

After experiencing the parade and having some food and drinks, it is time to get into the spirit of the carnival. From 10 pm until the following morning, music groups will be playing in different parts of the city. Head on to one of the venues for some great live music and dancing.

It will be up to you to decide if you want to stay at one location or visit different areas and see various groups. Keep in mind that during the carnival, the streets are going to be packed. So getting from one street venue to another might be challenging.

4. Have some Atol Chuco in the Morning

To truly experience the San Miguel carnival like a local, you must stay up all night and at dawn go drink Atol Chuco. Atol Chuco is a traditional drink from the eastern part of the country; it is a sweet drink with pink color.

5. Go to the Beach and Relax or Continue the Party

The best way to end the experience of the San Miguel Carnival is to go to the beach and relax or continue the party. Most people in the area will go to Playa El Cuco or Las Flores beach, two of the best beaches in El Salvador.

The Carnival's History

The history of the San Miguel Carnival is fascinating. According to historical records, the festivities were initially held every May 8th; this is the date the city of San Miguel was founded.

And in 1939, the Municipality Council decided to move the celebration to November. The carnival was moved to honor the Virgin of Peace (Virgen de la Paz), the municipality's patron saint.

The festivals were initially held in the neighborhoods around the city. As the years passed, the festivities moved to the town's Casinos (Entertainment Venues); however, only a small group of people had access to the venues.

The majority of the population couldn't get into the venues. They had to settle for listening to the music of the orchestras on the outskirts of the Casinos.

Then in 1959, Governor Miguel Felix Charlaix noticed the isolation of the majority of people during the celebrations. He decided to make changes and began to make the orchestras do their presentations in the city streets.

Since 1959, the San Miguel Carnival has been held on the San Miguel streets. Over the years, the popularity of the carnival has spread to all of El Salvador and neighboring countries, to the point of recently proclaiming itself as the most important festival in Central America.

Major Religious Events During November

The November festivities in San Miguel are not only about the carnival. The celebrations are also about religion in honor of the Virgin of the pace, patron saint of San Miguel. The following are the most important religious events during this month.

El Festival Mariano

The Mariano Festival takes place on November 20th; it begins around 8 pm and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.

On the eve of the day dedicated to the patron saint of San Miguel, Catholic faithful crowd the main streets of the city and Guzman Park, in front of the majestic Cathedral of San Miguel.

The participants sing to God and to the Virgin Mary under the invocation of the Queen of Peace. The singing goes on until the early hours of the 21st.

Mass in Honor of the Virgin of Peace

On November 21st, following the Mariano Festival, a mass in honor of the virgin of peace is held at 9 am. This mass is attended by some of the country's highest officials and local leaders.

Procession of the Virgin of Peace

The procession of the virgin of the peace begins at around 4 pm on November 21st. Like every year, hundreds of people participated in the ancient tradition of accompanying the image of the Virgin Queen of Peace in a procession.

The San Miguel Carnival in El Salvador

Year after year, thousands of local and foreign people come to San Miguel to have fun and experience one of the most fascinating events in the country, the traditional San Miguel Carnival. Families come to this extraordinary and eye-catching event to enjoy the spectacular parade of artistic floats with their respective queens, which runs along San Miguel's Alameda Roosevelt.

If you haven't had the chance to experience the San Miguel Carnival, take a chance this year and visit the city of San Miguel in November.

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The San Miguel Carnival in El Salvador. What you need to know!

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The San Miguel Carnival in El Salvador takes place every year on the last Saturday in November; it begins at 10 pm and runs until the following morning. During the carnival, the main streets of San Miguel are packed with visitors enjoying the different types of musical events and other attractions.