Medellín, also known for its traditional cuisine, which features a mix of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences.
Medellín is also known for its sweet desserts, such as “buñuelos,” fried dough balls that are often served with syrup or honey, and “dulce de leche,” a caramel-like sweet made from milk and sugar.
Bandeja Paisa, Medellín’s typical dish.
“Bandeja Paisa” is a traditional dish from the Paisa region of Colombia, which is located in the Andean region of the country and is known for its hearty and flavorful cuisine. The dish is named after the region, where it is considered a cultural emblem.
The dish consists of a large platter that typically includes a serving of grilled steak or other meats, rice, beans, plantains, avocado, fried egg, sausage and blood sausage. This dish is also known for its large portion, as it is meant to be a hearty and satisfying meal.
The origins of bandeja Paisa can be traced back to the times of the farmers, who needed to have a large and nourishing meal to have energy for their long working days. It has grown to be an emblematic and traditional dish of the Paisa region and also it has become popular in other regions of Colombia.
The dish is known for its rich and flavorful taste, which is a result of the combination of the different ingredients and the use of spices and herbs. It’s considered as a high-caloric meal due to its high amount of protein and carbohydrates. It’s often served with lime wedges, which are used to add a touch of acidity to the dish and enhance the flavors.
Mondongo, typical stew in Medellín.
“Mondongo” is a traditional dish made from tripe, which is the stomach lining of a cow. The tripe is typically boiled and then cut into small pieces, and it is often served in a stew with various vegetables, such as potatoes, plantain, yucca, cilantro and corn, known for its rich and hearty flavor, and it is considered to be a comfort food by many people. It’s often served with white rice, avocado, and a lime wedges on the side.
Sancocho, typical Colombian stew.
“Sancocho” is a traditional Latin American stew that is typically made with meat (such as chicken, fish or pork) and a variety of root vegetables, such as yucca, plantains, and potatoes. The dish is especially popular in the Caribbean and South American countries such as Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Each country and region may have their own variation of this dish.
To make sancocho, the meat is first browned in a large pot with oil, then simmered with water, onions, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices to create a flavorful broth. The root vegetables are then added and simmered until they are tender. Some versions of the dish may also include additional ingredients such as corn, pumpkin, or cilantro.
Sancocho is known for its rich and hearty flavor, and is considered to be a comfort food by many people. It is typically served with white rice and is often accompanied by a hot sauce. Some people might consider it a filling and satisfying dish. It is also a popular food for special occasions and events, it can be a great dish to prepare for a large group of people.
Si vas en Metro, te diriges hacia la estación San Antonio que es la estación central de la ciudad, sube al segundo piso y coges la línea B hasta la última estación San Javier, igualmente subes al segundo piso y allí se encuentran las cabinas en constante movimiento, una detrás de otra, sin detenerse completamente, están abiertas de 4:00 am hasta las 10:00 pm.
Ajiaco, traditional dish from Bogotá.
“Ajiaco“is a traditional Colombian soup that is known for its rich and flavorful taste. The dish is a thick and hearty stew that is typically made with chicken, potatoes, and cream, along with a variety of herbs and spices. It’s considered one of the national dishes of Colombia.
To make Ajiaco, the chicken is first cooked in a pot with water, along with garlic and a variety of herbs and spices such as cumin and coriander. Then, potatoes and other vegetables are added and cooked until they are tender. At the end, cream is added to the soup which gives it a creamy texture.
The dish is typically served with a variety of garnishes and side dishes, such as avocado, capers, sour cream, and cilantro. Some versions of the dish also includes corn, known as “choclo” in Colombia which is added to the pot and gives a different flavor to the dish.
Ajiaco is a comforting and satisfying dish that is often served on cold days or as a midday meal. It’s considered to be a healthy food due to the high amounts of vegetables and protein. It’s also a dish with a long history, with roots dating back to indigenous communities from the Andean region of Colombia.
Empanadas, very typical snack of Colombia.
“Empanadas”are a traditional dish that is found throughout Latin America. They are a type of turnover that is typically filled with meat, cheese, or other ingredients, and then fried or baked. The dough used to make empanadas can be made from wheat flour, corn flour or only corn, depending on the region or recipe.
In Colombia, fillings vary from chicken, beef, pork, cheese, and even sweet fillings like fruit jams or sweetened cheese.
Empanadas are a popular street food and a common snack in Latin American countries, but they can also be served as a main course. They are often served with a side of chimichurri sauce or spicy.
Fried empanadas are crispy and have a flaky texture, they can be easily stored and reheated, making them a great option for a packed lunch or a picnic.
Arepas, typical dish all over Colombia.
“Arepas” are a traditional food in Colombia, which are made from corn and water. They are a type of flatbread that is often filled with cheese or meat.
Colombian arepas are typically made from precooked corn flour, which is mixed with water, salt and sometimes butter, then formed into patties and cooked on a griddle or a skillet until golden brown on both sides. The dough for arepas can be made from white or yellow corn flour.
Arepas are a staple food in Colombia and are commonly eaten for breakfast, as a snack, or as a side dish. They can also be filled with a variety of savory ingredients such as chicken, beef, cheese, or black beans and can be topped with butter, cheese, or avocado, anything.
Some popular variations of arepas include “arepa de queso” (cheese arepa), “arepa de chocolo” (made with a type of large-kerneled corn), “arepa de huevo” and “arepa con hogao” (topped with a tomato-based sauce). There are over 40 types of arepas al around Colombia!
Parque de las luces, Medellín, Antioquia. Centro Administrativo La Alpujarra al fondo.
“Buñuelos” are a traditional sweet that are typically made from a dough made of flour, eggs, and a liquid which is then deep-fried. The dough is shaped into small balls or flattened into disks, and then fried until golden and crispy.
Once fried, buñuelos are often sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. They can also be filled with sweet fillings such as sweet cheese, fruit jams, and dulce de leche (a caramel-like sweet made from milk and sugar).
Buñuelos are a traditional sweet that is associated with festivals and holidays, specially december, but you’ll find buñuelos in every backery store.
The origins of buñuelos can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula, where they have been consumed since medieval times. In Spain, they are known as “buñuelos de viento”, a similar treat to the ones in Latin America and are often served during the carnival season and other festivals.
Pueblito Paisa en el Cerro Nutibara, Medellín, Colombia.
Pueblito Paisa es una réplica a gran escala de un típico pueblo paisa en la mitad de la enorme ciudad, con el objetivo de recordar nuestras raíces, con sus casas, puertas y balcones de colores representando la diversidad, su plaza en el centro símbolo de comercio y socialización, su parte espiritual como base de toda comunidad y la fuente de agua en el medio de la plaza representando la vida, es una influencia muy española que a la vez es una influencia romana.
Es un lugar con mucha riqueza cultural, que honra a nuestros antepasados y sus tradiciones, que pone como prioridad la cultura Paisa (Paisas son las personas que tienen sus raíces en ésta región de Colombia), que es tan única en todo el país. También se ha vuelto ícono del turismo, así que tiene varias tiendas en el cual puedes degustar algunos snacks típicos como el salpicón, las obleas, las solteritas, quizás comerte una bandeja paisa o un rico sancocho en algunos de sus restaurantes típicos y también comprar algunos souvenirs que representan nuestra cultura. Colombia es un país multicultural y diverso, cada una de sus regiones es completamente distinta de las otras, como si fueran países diferentes, por eso es tan importante el tema cultural como símbolo de orgullo y tradición.
Cerro Nutibara desde un drone. (El cerro verde que sobresale entre la urbanización).
Está ubicado en el Cerro Nutibara, unos de los 7 cerros que sobresalen entre el valle del aburrá, en los tiempos prehispánicos era una montaña sagrada donde celebraban ceremonias y rituales, al ser un punto alto que acerca a la divinidad y estar localizada en medio del valle, ofreciendo una vista tridimensional de toda la región, para muchas tribus fue un lugar sagrado.
Pueden llegar a éste lugar por medio del sistema Metro, queda cerca de la estación Industriales o Exposiciones, a unos 2.5 km de distancia aproximadamente, lo ideal es coger un taxi o Uber, ya que queda a varias cuadras de las estaciones y luego tienes que subir el cerro hasta la cima.
Parque Arví, Medellín, Antioquia. Uno de sus tantos caminos para recorrer.
El Parque Arví es un parque público abierto de 1761 hectáreas de bosque, pertenecientes a la reserva del río Nare, donde convergen bosques nativos y de plantación. Abarca territorios de varios municipios del departamento de Antioquia, como Bello, Copacabana, Guarne y Medellín.
Se concibe como una estrategia para impulsar nuevas y necesarias formas de ocupación territorial, a través del aprovechamiento de los bienes y servicios ambientales en la búsqueda de la sostenibilidad, constituyéndose en un aula viva para la educación ambiental y cultural. Igualmente se plantea dentro del ordenamiento territorial como una barrera natural entre lo urbano y lo rural.
El Parque Arví no es solamente un territorio, es una unidad de actuación integral entre lo urbanístico, económico, social y ambiental, orientada a ofrecer al mercado una oferta turística (atractivos, planta e infraestructura) de manera sostenible y participativa con el fin de alcanzar la valoración, protección y conservación de la diversidad ambiental y cultural del
territorio Arví, así como el desarrollo de sus comunidades, contribuyendo de manera positiva a la reversión del cambio climático mundial.
(Tomado de la página oficial del parque arví).
Dirección: Carrera 45 # 80 Sur – 155 Medellín, Colombia
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