Hart Square Hosts Cultural Foodways: Salvadoran Tradition

Join us for a rich cultural foodways experience rooted in Salvadoran tradition.

Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador and a beloved part of Salvadoran identity and tradition. Made from corn masa and filled with ingredients like cheese, beans, pork, or loroco, pupusas are often shared during family gatherings, community festivals, and cultural celebrations. They symbolize warmth, heritage, and the joy of bringing people together through food. In El Salvador, pupusas are traditionally enjoyed with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa roja (tomato sauce), and are eaten at any time of day—for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as a snack.

Pupusas are often served with Ensalada de Frutas (Fruit Salad Drink), a refreshing and colorful Salvadoran drink made with finely chopped tropical fruits soaked in a lightly sweetened fruit juice. Common ingredients include apples, pineapple, mango, mamey, and sometimes oranges or papaya. These diced fruits are mixed into a base of fruit juice—often made with orange, pineapple, or a mix of tropical flavors—creating a drink that’s both hydrating and satisfying.

This beloved beverage is often served chilled at celebrations, family gatherings, and street festivals. Unlike typical fruit juices, the joy of ensalada de frutas comes not only from its sweet flavor but also from sipping and chewing the bits of real fruit in every glass. It's a fun, festive way to cool down and enjoy the taste of El Salvador!

Participants will watch as Chef Sulyema Trujillo prepares each course, learning about the flavors, symbolism, and history behind Salvadoran food. The meal will be served during the class, offering a taste of hospitality, and students will take home all the ingredients and recipe cards needed to recreate these dishes in their own kitchens.

Come discover the heart of Salvadoran food culture where meals are more than sustenance, they are a way of preserving tradition and bringing people together.

In collaboration with Hickory Soup Kitchen and Centro Latino Hickory