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Diciembre 12, 2004
Origin of the Salteña
Ever wonder how the salteña got its name? Here is a brief explanation.
In the writings of Antonio Paredes Candia one reads that at the begining of the century Ms. Juana Manuela Gorriti -who would later become the wife of president Manuel Isidoro Belzu- was born in the argentine city of Salta, but was exiled together with her family by dictator Rosas. Leaving all their belongings behind, this family finally settled down in the city of Tarija. For many years, the Gorriti family had to bear a life marked by extreme poverty. Desperation made them start preparing English-like pastry products that were called "empanadas caldosas"1; typical of European countries.
The sale of these products was assigned to the well-known and popular Manuela, who was nicknamed "la salteña" refering to her region of origin. The products slowly gained popularity in Tarija and finally became a tradition. Paredes Candia mentions that kids were told to "go and get an empanada from the salteña." However, with the passage of time, most people forgot Manuela Gorriti's name but retained the nickname, and the product adopted this name preserved until today.
Also in this page I found, is a limited list of places outside of Bolivia where one can buy salteñas. Truly emigration will hit its peak when you can buy a salteña in Africa.
Paredes Candia, mentioned above, is a famous Bolivian historian and writer, who devoted all his life to preserving Bolivian traditions. The author of many, many books he is famous for wandering the country collecting oral histories ensuring that the story behind the story does not become lost. He also founded an excellent free museum in El Alto displaying Bolivian modern art.
Posted by eduardo at Diciembre 12, 2004 09:12 AM
Comments
That UKAMAU place in Hamburg, Germany is not there any more. The department of health closed it down.
Posted by: MB at Diciembre 12, 2004 04:47 PM
Do you know the ex-owners? You should open up a MABB salteñeria. I don't think I want to know the health infractions committed.
Posted by: eduardo at Diciembre 12, 2004 06:22 PM
No, I don't know the owners. I was there once, and no more.
I learned of it by reading the yellow pages. I said to myself, that's my new second home in Hamburg. So, I went one day. It was a bit tricky to find it, because, one, I was kind of new to the city and two, it was hidden in one of the most left leaning, old building though interesting neighborhoods of Hamburg. The neighborhood is called Sternschanze.
Once I found it, in one of those old looking streets, with tall northern Euroopean style buildings, I stood at the door, to look at it. I have to say, I was not very excited. It looked one of those places one finds in remote areas in Bolivia. As soon I walked in, I smelled a kind of heavy atmosphere. I said hello and did not get that feeling one gets when walking in to a Bolivian restaurant somewhere outside Bolivia. That "homy" feeling.
The welcome was more or less formal. I said to myself, as long as I get my Saltenas. I ordered them and waited, and waited and waited.......... After a long time, about 20 minutes, I got my Saltenas to go. I took them home, and was not very pleased with them. So, I decided not to go back.
Next thing I know, I read in the newspaper, the place had been shut by the Department of Health. I did not want to know why............
If I'd know hot to make Saltenas, perhaps I would open a little snack here in the corner. ;-)
Posted by: MB at Diciembre 13, 2004 02:53 AM
Hello! I come from Bolivia and study in Hamburg. There is a Salteñeria in the Levante Haus.
If you want to know more, just write me an email. You can write it in Spanish if you want. The Salteñas at this place are just GREAT!
Carlo Q.
Posted by: Carlo at Enero 13, 2005 04:34 PM
hOLA, ME MORIRIA POR COMER UN PAR DE SALTENAS, PERO SI HAY ALGUN BOLICHE CON UN PAR DE SOPAS O UN PICANTE DE CUALQUIER COSA Y TALVEZ, SOLO TALVEZ UN MINUSCULO GRAMO DE LLAJWA...ME MUERO...
YO SE QUE ALGUNOS SE JUNTAN EN DUSSELDORF, PERO YO ME TENDRE QUE CONTENTAR CON EL FRICACHO QUE DA VUELTAS EN MI CABEZA... TAMBIEN HE SABIDO QUE ERASE UNA VEZ UN RESTAURANT BOLIVIANO QUE CAYO BAJO EL PESO DE LA ADMINISTRACON SANITARIA... PUES NO HAY MEJOR CERTIFICADO DE CALIDAD Y TOTAL GARANTIA DE QUE EL LUGAR ERA BOLIVIANO Y LA COMIDA TENIA EL SABOR ORIgINAL... SI LA MIRAS BIEN, LA SAJTA NO TENDRA EL MISMO SABOR SI LA CEBOLLA ESTA SANITIZADA O SI EL POLLO VIVIO EN PROBETA...APUESTO A QUE ESTOS AMIGOS TENIAN LAS GALLINAS CORRETEANDO EN EL PATIO TRASERO, QUE MAS DESEARIAN ACA EN ALEMANIA! PERO NO VA CON EL MODELO, ASI QUE SACRIFICAREMOS SASON POR JABON!!
BUEN PROVECHO!
Posted by: Luigi Catacora at Febrero 6, 2005 07:45 AM
Tambien puedan comer las saltenas en Inglaterra, estamos en la ciudad de Nottingham, recien estamos tratando de lanzarlas al mercado y ya tenemos clientela esperando, hasta ahora han sido la familia y amigos. Pero les puedo decir son muy deliciosas,
super especiales. Contactanos
Posted by: janeth at Junio 15, 2006 10:24 AM
Muy interezante el origen de las saltenas!, si la senorita Gorriti solo se enterara del delaite que nos ha dejado y que nosotros bolivianos seguimos llevando esta ricura por casi todos los rincones del mundo.VERY PROUD!
Sin saber la historia del origen de la saltena, siempre me imagine que tendria que venir por el nombre de la ciudad de Salta, especialmente despues de una charlita con una senora de la argentina,
Pue', me quedo muy contenta y les agrazco un monton,
gracias y gracias tambien por este web que es la primera que me encuentro con el. chaoo
Posted by: janeth at Junio 15, 2006 10:55 AM