Pupusa

A Pupusa is a tortilla with baked in filling. It is the national dish of El Salvador, and also spread to other countries of Central America.

The tortilla consisting of corn flour, filling most of refried beans, cheese, or a mixture, consists of several. Even with fish, chicken, avocado, sausage or cheese with pork rind they may be filled. The Pupusa cabbage and red hot sauce is usually served.

Día Nacional de las Pupusas

Since 2005 has been determined a public holiday by decree law in El Salvador due to the indigenous origin of the national dish of El Salvador. The " Día Nacional de las Pupusas " takes place in the month of November of each year on the second Sunday. The Ministry of Culture carries on this day numerous events throughout the country to get the custom and culture and to promote exports. Activities range so far that domestic competitions are held.

In January 2007, the largest Pupusa was registered with a diameter of three meters and a weight of 200 kilos of raw dough with a filling of 40 pounds of cheese and 40 pounds of pork rind in the Guinness Book of World Records. They were made by 40 people.

Economic Importance

Despite the small single unit costs of around 50 to 100 cents ( ¢) in El Salvador Pupusas are a not insignificant part in the economy of El Salvador. According to the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador, a turnover of 22.8 million U.S. dollars was reached between 2001 and 2003. The export to the USA alone, was approximately 605 million U.S. dollars in 2005. In the U.S., Pupusas for around two dollars per piece sold.

In terms of jobs, the economy ministry also reported that around 250,000 people in El Salvador are busy in the production of Pupupas.