The War of The Alfajores - English

Correo de Salem – Salem Mail

By

Eduardo González Viaña (*)
Translated by R.X. Navas-Balladares

(This Article was published in Spanish in El Peruano, Tiempos del Mundo, & in Professor Gonzalez-Viaña's Correo de Salem

The War of The Alfajores

Where do Alfajores come from? Which one are the authentic? These questions almost seem metaphysical, and may very well be. In Los Angeles, a war of words has erupted between Argentineans, Nicaraguans, Peruvians, Bolivians and Chileans. It is a war fueled by nostalgia and the feeling that only that which you tasted in your dear homeland as a child is true and authentic.

Roger Navas-Balladares, born in Nicaragua, is guilty of starting the conflict. In 2003, he started Split Bean Coffee, a company that offers diverse kinds of coffees. In a moment of lucidity, Roger decided to sell Alfajores and has had much success. Journals like The Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, amongst others have written about a mysterious recipe that will soon convert us into addicts.

Dulce de leche, Pineapple, guava, raspberry, strawberry, chocolate, and even peanut butter are some of the flavors of this dessert which according to Roger the recipe originated in Trujillo, Peru

Professor Samuel Huntington does not cease to warn us that Latinos will someday take over the USA, and perhaps he is right. History confirms that when the invaders prepare cakes, and write poetry, it is because they have decided to stay and conquer.

Roger was my student at UC Berkeley. Instead of a quick and handy degree, he dedicated himself to a quest for knowledge. At the same time he attended cultural anthropology classes, he explored the mystical Kabalah, and Jewish traditions without leaving aside kosher food. He then continued with flamenco made a trip to India, from where in the 12th century heterodox exiled monks spread it’s roots. Egypt was the bridge through which these religious dances finally reached Spain. My student traveled through every region and of course through every kitchen. When in my class we were reading Latin American novels he begged me include the great recipe novel, “Like Water for Chocolate”. I am not surprised he traded his cap and gown of academia for hat and apron of chefs.

So, if this conflict develops into a holy war, perhaps a suicide bomber may devour Alfajores and launch his car against a foreign consulate in Los Angeles. This is why I dare remind you all, that all Alfajores originated during the Moorish occupation of Andalusia, the etymology of the word alfajor is arabic in nature, and can be traced to “al-hasú”, which in arabic means filled or stuffed. To this day in Cuenca, Spain, they call it “alajú” and it is made with almonds, honey and figs, all rolled in a thinn flour waffer.

With time, each region of Latin America, adapted the Spanish Alfajor and developed its own version. Everyone everywhere prepares the “Original Alfajor”. In Argentina and Peru there are over 20 varieties that culminate in the delirious “King Kong”, an alfajor made in Trujillo of colossal proportions containing various levels and flavors.

Maria Elena Miranda, a student of theology in Lima, Peru states that the Alfajor proves the existence of the soul. Twitching her nose like Samantha, she assures me that the two cookies represent our bodies and the filling our soul propagating throughout the Universe. Mariola Saavedra, a publicist, states that Alfajores are a daily staple in music jams.

From Buenos Aires, the psychologist, Andrea Yannuzzi, assures me that these type of wars are the only wars that originate in Love and Passion. How could this be then? In these candid days of September, Latinos living in the USA believe we are made of clay infused with the generous breath of God, but also of nostalgia and alfajores.


Gonzale@wou.edu
Web: http://www.geocities.com/egonzalezviana

Split Bean Coffee

www.SplitBeanCoffee.com