Halloween and Day of the Dead Recipes
North American-style Halloween celebrations are starting to catch on in some parts of South America, but November 1st is the more traditional holiday - an interesting combination of indigenous traditions and Catholic religious observations. Known as Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as well as Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints Day), the first of November is a special day for remembering loved ones who have passed away. Many Andean families observe the occasion by carrying traditional bread figures (similar to Mexican pan de muerto) and gifts to the cemetery and offering them to their deceased relatives.
In Mexico this tradition is particularly elaborate. Decorated candy sugar skulls, special breads, and other traditional foods are all part of the celebration. Read all about Dia de los Muertos in this article by Chelsie Kenyon, About.com's guide to Mexican food.
Though Halloween is not as widely celebrated in Latin American as it is in the US, South American cuisine is rich with recipes that work well for Halloween, including creative ways to enjoy pumpkin and many sweet treats...
These sweet breads are meant to resemble babies or people and are part of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebrations in the Andes. More »
Tantawawas are special breads made in Andean countries such as Peru and Ecuador to celebrate All Saints Day (Día de Todos Santos, Día de los Muertos). More »
This pumpkin soup is smooth and creamy, with a touch of chile pepper and queso fresco to liven it up.More »
These light and crispy doughnut-like fried treats are sold as a snack or served for dessert in Peru and Chile. Picarones are amazingly good when freshly deep fried and drenched in a fruity, spiced syrup that compliments the squash and sweet potato flavors perfectly.More »
A perfect cake for fall, this aromatic pumpkin cake is seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.More »
Sweet candies made of cubed pumpkin cooked in cinnamon spiced syrup. More »
These delightful cupcakes are easy to prepare with a spice cake mix and canned pumpkin.More »
These halloween jack-'o-lantern empanadas are cute but also tasty with their savory butternut squash filling.More »
A delicious beef stew with a dramatic presentation, perfect for a hearty meal before trick-or-treating.More »
This warm cinnamon pumpkin bread will make your house smell wonderful as it bakes.More »
In Mexico this tradition is particularly elaborate. Decorated candy sugar skulls, special breads, and other traditional foods are all part of the celebration. Read all about Dia de los Muertos in this article by Chelsie Kenyon, About.com's guide to Mexican food.
Though Halloween is not as widely celebrated in Latin American as it is in the US, South American cuisine is rich with recipes that work well for Halloween, including creative ways to enjoy pumpkin and many sweet treats...
1. Sweet Bread "Babies" - Guaguas de Pan Dulce
These sweet breads are meant to resemble babies or people and are part of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebrations in the Andes. More »
2. T'antawawa Breads - Andean Bread Babies
Tantawawas are special breads made in Andean countries such as Peru and Ecuador to celebrate All Saints Day (Día de Todos Santos, Día de los Muertos). More »
3. Creamy Pumpkin Soup - Crema de Zapallo
This pumpkin soup is smooth and creamy, with a touch of chile pepper and queso fresco to liven it up.More »
4. Picarones - Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Doughnuts
These light and crispy doughnut-like fried treats are sold as a snack or served for dessert in Peru and Chile. Picarones are amazingly good when freshly deep fried and drenched in a fruity, spiced syrup that compliments the squash and sweet potato flavors perfectly.More »
5. Spiced Pumpkin Cake - Bolo de Abobora
A perfect cake for fall, this aromatic pumpkin cake is seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.More »
6. Candied Pumpkin - Doce de Abobora Cristalizado
Sweet candies made of cubed pumpkin cooked in cinnamon spiced syrup. More »
7. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Glaze
These delightful cupcakes are easy to prepare with a spice cake mix and canned pumpkin.More »
8. Halloween Butternut Squash Empanadas - Empanadas de Calabaza
These halloween jack-'o-lantern empanadas are cute but also tasty with their savory butternut squash filling.More »
9. Beef Stew in a Pumpkin Shell - Carbonada en Zapallo
A delicious beef stew with a dramatic presentation, perfect for a hearty meal before trick-or-treating.More »
10. Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Toasted Pecans
This warm cinnamon pumpkin bread will make your house smell wonderful as it bakes.More »
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