The fried cakes are among the most popular snacks in Uruguay. These delicious small fried wheat-flour cakes are sprinkled with sugar, resulting in a crunchy texture that pairs well with sweetness; they are commonly enjoyed with a good mate infusion. For those who prefer a less bitter drink, they can also be eaten with coffee or milk.
This simple recipe is one of the deeply rooted traditions in the country. Its precise origins are uncertain, but what is known is that these cakes are inherited from German colonies that settled in Uruguay between 1870 and 1960, a period during which European immigrants arrived in the Americas to settle in lands that, at the time, included countries like Argentina and Uruguay.
The main immigrant groups were Swiss, Italian, and German. Specifically, these fried cakes originate from Germany, where they are called Kreppel, and they found their way to Uruguay, a country that welcomed a significant German community and where they became a distinctive element of Uruguayan cuisine.
The tradition of eating fried cakes on rainy days
In Uruguay, there’s a tradition of eating these fried wheat-flour cakes sprinkled with sugar on rainy days, though the exact reason remains unknown. During cold or rainy days, it’s common to find them at food stalls across various cities.
Some attribute the custom of eating fried cakes on rainy days to the gauchos, the iconic cowboys of the pampas plains. Known for their riding skills and for promoting cattle ranching in what used to be called Banda Oriental (the territory that now includes the modern-day Republic of Uruguay and the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul), it is said that they used to make their famous fried cakes with rainwater.
The reason for this tradition likely relates to the association of these two facts.
The Fried Cake Festival
Since 2002, the city of Canelones has been celebrating the Fried Cake Festival on October 7th and 8th, honoring this popular treat enjoyed during rainy days. Visitors can find variations of this traditional dish, including chocolate, caramel, or syrup. The most eye-catching version is perhaps the one filled with the traditional Martín Fierro sweet, creating a rich combination of Uruguayan confectionery.
Furthermore, it’s a gastronomic festival showcasing the country’s typical dishes. It also features cultural performances such as dance, music, crafts, and activities for children, making it an event suited for family enjoyment.
It’s common to see attendees arriving with foldable chairs and picnic mats to enjoy the country’s culture amidst friends and family. The festival becomes even more interesting when innovative takes on the fried cake are awarded, encouraging creativity and new flavors of this traditional dish every year.
This beautiful initiative aims to celebrate the country’s traditional culinary expressions through a festival where homegrown food takes center stage.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to foster a sense of community and bonding among residents of Canelones and its surroundings, while welcoming tourists eager to explore Uruguayan traditions firsthand.
