During my first visit to Iza, I tried Merengón with Guanabana and also Milhohas! Both were delectable!
Both desserts brought me a sense of joy!
The first pastry I tried was Merengón. Merengón is made up of layers of meringue with cream filling and fruits between each layer. (For those who have never tried meringue before, this is a type of dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar and can be described as being both soft and crispy.) Typical fruits which are combined with Merengón are strawberries, blackberries, pineapples and guanabana (a fruit which we do not have in the U.S., but is very delicious!). The Boyacá region of Colombia is known for its delicous Merengón.
The second dessert I tried was Milhojas which translates directly as “thousand leaves.” Its name refers to its many layers of flaky puff pastry which is filled with cream and topped with Arequipe. Arequipe (called dulce de leche in Colombian Spanish) is caramelized milk that can be eaten alone as candy or as a filling or topping on pastries. Hungry yet??
I would describe both desserts as being culturally and economically connected to the local environment. Both pastries are considered staples in the Boyacá region, especially for vendors in the small town of Iza.
