Cartagena is a city located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, it is known for its culinary tradition that includes a variety of typical sweets made with great dedication by local people. These sweets reflect the influence of Afro-Caribbean and indigenous culture in the region. Here we have some of the typical sweets that we can find in Cartagena:
- Cocadas: Cocadas are sweets made from grated coconut, sugar or panela. They can be found in different variations, such as white cocadas, black cocadas (with panela melao), or cocadas filled with fruits or nuts.
- Papaya candy: These are pieces of papaya with panela or sugar, often with spices such as cinnamon and cloves. This sweet is very popular in the region.
- Corozo candy: Corozos are fruits of the corozo palm, and are prepared with sugar and spices to make a delicious and exotic sweet.
- Veleño sandwich: It is made from guava and sugar, and comes in the form of compact blocks that are delicious or as a filling for other sweets.
- Blancmange: This sweet is prepared by cooking milk, sugar and cinnamon until a thick and creamy texture is obtained. It is often served with fresh cheese or in the form of arequipe.
- Arequipe: Arequipe is similar to dulce de leche and is made by cooking milk and sugar until a thick, caramelized paste is obtained. It can be eaten alone, in bread or as a filling for desserts.
- Almojábanas: Although not sweet in the traditional sense, almojábanas are salty snacks that resemble cheese and yucca bread. They are popular as a snack in Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean region.
- Corn bagels: These donuts are prepared with corn flour, cheese and sugar, often served with a cup of coffee.
In addition, several festivals and events are held in this region in which the area's typical sweets stand out. These festivals are a great opportunity to try a wide variety of tastings and experience local cuisine. Some of the typical sweet festivals in and around Cartagena include:
- Sweet Festival: This is an annual event held in Cartagena. During the festival, local producers of typical sweets present their creations, and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of sweets such as cocadas, sandwiches, manjar blanco and many more. There are also competitions and activities related to the preparation of sweets.
- Yam Festival: Although not specifically a candy festival, the Yam Festival on the island of Providencia, which is near Cartagena, is an opportunity to try the island's traditional sweets. Yam sweets are very popular, and during the festival, you can taste and buy them.
- Coconut and Sweet Festival: This festival is celebrated in the town of San Antero, in the department of Córdoba, which is located a few hours from Cartagena. The event highlights local products, including coconut and sweets such as cocadas, They are a unique opportunity to enjoy the diverse and delicious tradition of typical sweets from the Caribbean region of Colombia that reflects the richness of its culture and its gastronomic heritage. Please note that the dates of these events may vary from year to year, so I recommend checking local sources or official websites for up-to-date information on the specific dates and locations of these festivals.
When you study Spanish at school Nueva Lengua You have the opportunity to discover the culture of Colombia while you travel, have fun, and perfect your Spanish skills. We have a headquarters in Cartagena, located in the historic neighborhood of Getsemaní. For more information about our Spanish courses, as well as our accommodation options in Cartagena, write to us at info@nuevalengua.com or send us a message through our contact page.
All the articles in this blog have been written by the teachers of our school and by students from different countries who traveled to Colombia to learn Spanish.
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