Sandwich Fiesta for Hispanic Heritage Month - Pilar's Chilean Food & Garden

Versión en español

This Sandwich Fiesta is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BUSH'S Beans. The opinions and text are all mine. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month between September 15th and October 15th every year. Since my children started school, it has allowed us to talk about our roots and culture, celebrate with our friends, and always be around food. This year we are having a sandwich Fiesta inspired by traditional cuisines and flavors.

I was born and raised in Chile; I came to the US in 2003. Initially, I did not know English, so naturally, my first friends were the other Latino wives of my husband's college mates. Thus, I met the one who is now my Mexican sister and other Colombian, Venezuelan, Dominican, Peruvian, and Argentine friends.

Even among us, we were surprised when we started sharing our classic meals. I hadn't forgotten when I served a traditional Chilean corn pie (a stew of meat and corn) to my Mexican friend, who asked me if I had tortillas to serve it. We don't even eat tortillas in Chile, so I was shocked.

The first time I ate Colombian Ajiaco, I found avocado in the soup (a fantastic idea that we quickly adopted!!!). Or the Reina Pepiada of the Venezuelans, almost equal to our Chilean Ave Palta but served in Arepas.

Also, here in the USA, I came to enjoy delicious mangoes; it is the favorite fruit of my daughters. And ripe plantains fascinate me. The mofongo is eternal love: Cachapas and all Mexican food: pozole, tamales, and tacos. Many common ingredients are used in all our cuisines, and I marvel at the different uses and names. One food always present in the Latin kitchen is beans. I used BUSH'S black beans for these sandwiches, but you could use any of the tasty and ready-to-use BUSH'S Beans. Think of black or pinto refried, red beans, pureed white beans, and more. They go great with our traditional flavors!!! I always have a variety in my pantry.

So whether you have Latino friends or not, dare to try new flavors and combinations as represented in these sandwiches or tortas, as my Mexican friends would say. Enjoy Hispanic Heritage Month around our tables and cuisines; you will be amazed!

Mexican Torta

French bread hollowed and toast
Cooked chorizo
Pico de gallo
Washed and drained BUSH'S black beans
Queso cotija crumbled
Radishes

Venezuelan Sandwich

French bread hollowed and toast
Reina Pepiada (shredded cooked chicken breast, onion in small cubes, cilantro, avocado, and mayonnaise)
Washed and drained BUSH'S black beans
Chopped green olives

Caribbean Sandwich

French bread hollowed and toast
Jerky shredded pork (pork mixed with jerky sauce or dressing dissolved in hot water)
Mango salsa (mango, onion, cilantro, and tomato)
Washed and drained BUSH'S black beans
Plantain chips