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Colombia’s Famous Paisa Platter

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As I mentioned in a previous blog, one of the best ways to learn about any country or its culture is through a people’s language and foods.  The Paisa Platter is a perfect example of this. But first let’s look at the meaning of the word “paisa”.

In Colombian Spanish, Paisa is a shortened form of Paisano which describes the ‘countrymen’ from the Antioquia region, one of the oldest parts of Colombia in the north-west of the country. The main cities in this region are Medellín, Pereira, Manizales and Armenia. Additionally, the departamentos (provinces) of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and parts of Valle del Cauca (north) and Tolima (west) identify culturally with the paisa region. 

The paisas have been considered a genetically isolated population according with researches. They are predominantly European ancestry because it is said that the male Spaniards who settled the region during the 16th and 17th centuries arrived with their women.

Paisas are well known in Colombia for their kindness, hospitality and welcoming aptitude to persons from other regions and visitors. You only have to set foot in Colombia to realize this. Travelers are greeted repeatedly with the term,  “Bienvenido a Colombia” (Welcome to Colombia.) as soon as they get off the plane.

Bandeja paisa  is the most traditional dish from this part of the country.  Bandeja” means “platter or large tray,” as this dish is served on a platter, given its size. It is generally made up of carne asada (grilled steak) or carne molida (finely ground grilled steak), chicharrón(fried pork rind), rice, red beans, fried eggs, a slice of avocado,sweet fried plantains, a fried egg, an arepa (flat bread made from cornmeal), white rice, hogao (a traditional Colombian condiment made of a savory mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro,) and sometimes chorizo (sausage).

Here are a couple of recipes for the famous Bandeja Paisa (paisa platter)

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