Since colonial times, the feast of Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria has been celebrated, and each year, Spanish Catholic customs come alive, especially in the Caribbean region. In Colombia, the La Candelaria festival is deeply rooted in the traditions of the people of Cartagena; it unfolds amidst dances, cumbias, processions, and an abundant gastronomic celebration.
For nine days, the people of Cartagena celebrate La Candelaria, enjoying the famous Festival of the Fried Food, where matronas prepare various fritters for the faithful, such as egg arepas — corn arepas filled with a fried egg. There is a wide variety in their preparation; some are combined with ground meat and potatoes, or with shrimp. They also offer corn buñuelos, cheese and meat empanadas, carimañolas, and sweet arepas.
Vegan and vegetarian fritters, as well as those based on Arab cuisine, are also present.
The traditional fried fish, accompanied by coconut rice, plantain chips, and fried banana empanadas, is also on display.
When night falls or at midday, you can enjoy cheese mote — a delicious soup made with yams, lemon, curd, garlic, and onion — or a creamy seafood casserole with octopus, oysters, shrimp, and lobsters cooked in coconut milk.
To finish off perfectly, sweets and desserts like fruit salad — a tasty fruit cocktail — and Colombian cholados, which are a mix of ice cream, fruit cocktail, and a refreshing beverage, are not to be missed.
