Lentorama 2019: Resurrect My Globe!

Day 28: Ecuador

Ecuador has a Semana Santa similar to other countries in the Latin world, full of colorful processions (such as the procession of the Jesus del Gran Poder in Quito, as the name apparently translates to "Jesus of the Great Power," which makes him sound like one of the Avengers).

Outside of the religious traditions, the one that seems most uniquely Ecuadoran is the preparation of fanesca, a grain-based soup that can include things like salt cod, squash, fried bread, cheese, peanuts, and green banana. While the origin of the soup isn't known, many theories have it coming from Europe (either Spain or Italy), with the ingredients changing to reflect what's local.

Fanesca is a big enough deal that in Quito there's an annual competition between restaurants as to who makes the best version (though the article indicates there are other judging criteria, such as the use of sustainable ingredients), though there's widespread agreement that the best dish is made at home, typically by someone's grandmother.