In November the traditional festival of the “All Saints Day” with the Guatemalan dish known as fiambrea tradition that represents the multiculturalism and pluriculturality of Guatemala, declared cultural heritage on October 13, 2019.
The dish is characterized by mixture of flavors and colors that distinguish the Guatemalan culture. It is a fusion of ingredients that enriches this culinary tradition due to its variety of products, which can sometimes contain more than 50 foods.
The renowned anthropologist Celsa Lara (who died in August 2019), said that vegetables and their dressing arewith the representation of the pre-Hispanic world; the variety of meats and sausages reflect the Spanish ancestry; and the use of cheeses, capers, olives and spices come from the Arab heritage.
The tradition has surpassed the barriers of Guatemala due to migrants from the country who have settled in other countries, and have shared their culture, tradition and gastronomy.
Proof of them are the activities that have been carried out in countries like the United States, where Guatemalan communities have brought the tradition of making cold cuts to cities like Los Angeles.
giant cold cut
This 2022, Guatemalan migrants once again surprise the United States with their colors and flavors. The connational community in Los Angeles With the joy that characterizes them, they decided to make a cold cut together to commemorate their loved ones who have already passed away, but this time they did it in a giant way.
In order to convey the harmony of the different regions of Guatemala, the communities managed to develop a cold cut that exceeded 900 pounds and included 80 ingredients. In addition, they accompanied the banquet with a canned pumpkin with panela and cinnamon.
Among the personalities who attended to taste the traditional dish on November 1 are: the Guatemalan artist Óscar de Salcajá, the consul Ángel Salazar, the Los Angeles sheriff Alex Villanueva, the mayor of the city of Bell.
The festivity had a musical accompaniment, by the Guatemalan Pablo Garzona, a migrant originally from San Agustín Acasaguastlán, municipality of El Progreso. His talent and kindness has led him to help children who have come to the United States.
Also read: What is eaten in Spain and Latin America on All Saints’ Day?
Guatemalan Migrant Network
The network, following the Guatemalan tradition, since 2018 calls and organizes with volunteers the elaboration of the white cold meat with old chicken broth Verapaz style.
The elaboration begins with the selection of the ingredients: meats, vegetables, cheeses, sausages and more. One food is chosen per person that contributes a minimum of 10 pounds.
Dances with kites
The Guatemalan Migrant network on its Facebook page published a video on Sunday, October 30, 2022, a video of a dance of a marimba piece accompanied by kites as part of the festival celebrated in Los Angeles, California.
On the page, the video of the Guatemalans while preparing the cold meat together, bringing the last ingredients of the dish and inviting, in K’iche and Spanish, to come and try it.
Don’t stop reading: In a few years the annual tradition of preparing and tasting cold cuts could disappear. Why?
Guatemalans in California
According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minex) up to May 2022, the estimated population of Guatemalans in the United States is 2,813,983.
Regarding the state of California, the Minex estimates around 989 thousand 189 people from Guatemala.
