Like Tacos? You'll LOVE Pupusas. Try This Easy Recipe At Home!

El Salvador and Honduras both claim to be the birthplace of pupusas, and it’s easy to see why they want the bragging rights. The indigenous Pipil people grilled the first known pupusas 2,000 years ago, and now these savory flatbreads are a favorite throughout Central America. They’re growing in popularity in the United States, too.

Made with cornmeal and whatever fillings are tasty and on hand, pupusas are an economical staple food for many of the people with whom Heifer works . The topping, a tangy slaw called curtido, adds crunch and a vitamin C zing. If you’re hungry for a bite of authentic Central American food culture, give this recipe a try.

This recipe makes eight pupusas, enough for four people.

 The Curtido Topping:

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium cabbage
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1/8 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• Orange zest (from 1/2 an orange)
• A pinch of sugar
• Salt to taste
• Cumin to taste
• 1 Large container

Instructions

1. Remove the papery outer leaves of the cabbage.
2. Slice the cabbage into thin strips.
3. Chop cilantro.
4. Shred the carrot.
5. Combine the vegetables into a large bowl.
6. In a small bowl, combine vinegar, salt, lime juice, sugar, cumin and orange zest. Stir to mix.
7. Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Add salt and cumin to taste.
8. Let the curtido marinate at room temperature while you make the pupusas.

Pupusas:

Ingredients

• 4 cups Maseca or other corn flour masa
• 2 cups water
• 1 clove garlic, chopped fine
• 1/4 small onion, chopped fine
• 1/4 small bell pepper, chopped fine
• Salt to taste
• Cumin to taste
• Choice of filling (such as cheese, beans, chorizo)
• Pickled onions to be used as an additional topping

Instructions

1. Mix masa, salt and cumin.
2. Add water and mix by hand to make a not-too-sticky paste. Hint: rub oil on your hands to keep the dough from sticking
3. Using your hands, roll the mixture into eight balls.
4. Poke a hole into each ball using your finger.
5. Stuff cheese, beans, chorizo or other fillings into the holes, then squish them closed.
6. Use your hand to flatten the balls into tortilla shapes.
7. Grill pupusas in a greased pan over medium heat for three minutes on each side.
8. Serve the pupusas hot, topped with curtido and pickled onions

While Central America has a rich and delicious food culture, many farmers there are struggling with hunger and poverty. You can help them prosper with a gift of livestock, crops or training .