This vibrant beet-red concoction is Guatemalan curtido.
It's a mix of vegetables including cauliflower, cabbage, onions, beets and pacaya, a vegetable sourced from a species of palm tree and sold here pickled in jars, and occasionally fresh.
In Guatemala, curtido is eaten during Holy Week with fish and rice, said Teresa Escalante (above), as she described the dishes served at a media preview of Festival Chapín Los Angeles.
The festival takes place August 24 and 25 at Lafayette Park in Los Angeles, offering food, entertainment, Guatemalan crafts and more. Chapín means someone or something from Guatemala. Click here for festival information.
Curtido is also a topping for Guatemalan enchiladas, Escalante said. Unlike Mexican enchiladas composed of sauce-covered stuffed tortillas, the Guatemalan enchilada is a tostada topped with curtido, meat, egg, onions, lettuce, salsa and cheese.
The preview lunch that included curtido was provided by Panadería y Restaurante Chapines, one of a dozen Guatemalan restaurants that will take part in Festival Chapín. The restaurant is located at 1520 W. 7th St., Los Angeles.
Chuchitos--Guatemalan tamales stuffed with pork--were on the preview menu.
These taquitos dorados (fried taquitos) were smothered with onions and cilantro
Pepián is a meaty stew so popular it is often called the national dish of Guatemala. It is traditionally made with chicken, but other meats are also used.
Ensalada rusa--Russian salad--is popular in many countries, including Guatemala. This version included green beans, carrots, red bell peppers and potatoes in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise and vinegar.
Carrots, cauliflower, onions and jalapeños were combined in escabeche--spicy pickled vegetables.
For dessert there were sweet rellenitos de plátano, deep-fried mashed plantains stuffed with black beans.
Chapines is also a panadería (bakery) and so provided an assortment of pan dulce (sweet breads) including these roscas.
One of Guatemala's most famous dishes is the fried chicken from Pollo Campero. This will be at the festival too. The chicken is crisp, well seasoned and not greasy. Just as appealing is the rice that goes with it.
The theme of Festival Chapín this year is Recordando Mis Raíces, which means remembering my roots. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. The address is 625 S. Lafayette Park Pl., Los Angeles 90057, near the intersection of 6th St. and Rampart Blvd. Admission is free.
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