The Ecuadorian history is very interesting; the people are friendly and in each region the staple food is different because it depends on the weather.The typical foods are: encebollado, guatita, fanesca, encocado, ceviche, mote, cuy, colada morada and others.
The Colada Morada is a typical drink of Ecuador; its origin would be in the north of the province of Pichincha, in Calderon, located outside Quito. The Indians prepared with the mazamorra before the Spanish arrived. Currently a derivation of this is offered on November 2nd, Day of the Dead.
The drink is linked to the highland folklore. Probably the Spanish brought a drink similar during the colonization, but is known is that the Indians at that time, adapted their religious celebratory dates to the Spanish and of course also reinvented their meals.
It’s prepared with black corn flour, fruits from the region like naranjilla the babaco, pineapple, blackberries, as well as mortiño (Type wild blueberry of Andean highlands) that gives red color to the drink.
In some places like the provinces of: Tungurahua, Santa Elena and others, natives used to dress up and offered food and drinks to the souls of the dead, a tradition that still remains by the people of the capital of our country, where the natives go to the cemeteries and bring food to the tombs of their oved one. Still over the tombs of families, the visitors spend all day in this tasting and in contact with their loved ones.
The colada morada can be served hot or cold and it’s associated with the traditional Guaguas breads that were ancestrally prepared for each of the members of the family of the dead. Today, people shares Guaguas of bread; especially if it is filled with jam or delicacy that symbolizes good luck and good energy.
Bibliography:
- Colada Morada, downloaded May 20th 2011 from http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colada_morada
- Colada Morada, downloaded May 22th 2011 from http://ecuadorecuatoriano.blogspot.com/2010/10/colada-morada-y-guaguas-de-pan.html
- Colada Morada, downloaded May 22th 2011 from http://www.lahora.com.ec/index.php/noticias/show/635509
