Origins and Traditions of Guatemalan Fiambre

The Foodies' KitchenOctober 6, 2022

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Fiambre is part of our rich historical culture, and there are several theories about its origin. We can find it mentioned in old chronicles of the city dating back to the 17th century, and it is mentioned by Guatemalan writer José Milla in his book Cuadro de Costumbres, written between 1861 and 1862:

«Fiambre, in good Spanish, is an adjective that means roasted or cooked that has been allowed to cool to eat as is. Between us is a noun that designates an eminently national dish, made up of many herbs and many cold cut meats, which is also eaten cold, from which the name probably comes.»

Fiambre is a mix of cultures and beliefs. Originally, it came to be as an offering meal, and today it is enjoyed on November 1 on All Saints’ Day, commemorated within the Catholic religion. This dish combines ingredients from pre-hispanic cuisine with a wide variety of pickled vegetables. The Spanish introduced, in addition to sausages, meat, and fish, Arab influences by incorporating olives, cheeses, capers, and other dressings.

Within the Mayan culture, for centuries it has been customary to bury the dead with provisions and food that they enjoyed in life. The Mayan belief states that death is nothing more than a passage to the afterlife, so we must have provisions for the long road ahead. Currently, we share Fiambre at home with our family. There are also those who eat it in cemeteries, bringing the celebration to their dead.

Although other cold meat dishes are present in other countries, Fiambre, as we know it in Guatemala, is not prepared in other places. This makes it a traditional Guatemalan dish, a link of mysticism, culture, and folklore that has been maintained generation after generation for hundreds of years.

Each family has its particular recipe, it can have up to 50 ingredients. Fiambre can be prepared White or Red, the latter consisting of adding beetroot to obtain its reddish hue. There are Fiambres with a sweet and sour taste, while others include seafood. The variations are endless. We are happy that at Vinoteca we can enjoy Fiambre throughout the season! And they have something for everybody depending on their personal preference:

White Fiambre: Mix of sausages, meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables with the original Vinoteca vinaigrette.
Red Fiambre: A base of white cold cuts complemented with beetroot that gives it this subtle color and flavor.
Thai Fiambre: Mix of duck, pork, and shrimp with vegetables marinated and seasoned in Thai-style dressing.

You can place your order for delivery via the online shop, WhatsApp 2243-1555, visit their stores to buy it to go, and enjoy them in Vinoteca Zona 14 or Spazio Delis along with delicious wines that you can sip in their newly remodeled spaces. You can enjoy the experience of different wines by the glass.

Remember to reserve your Fiambre if you want to enjoy it for November 1st. There is a promotion! With the purchase of 3 lbs of Fiambre they will include 1 bottle of Vista Alegre rosé wine, which applies to purchases made through the online store or at their shops. If you are outside the country, you can surprise your loved ones by placing an order through the Vinoteca website so that they can receive it at an address in Guatemala.

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This post is also available in / Esta entrada también está disponible en ESPAÑOL (SPANISH)