Much to do about chipa

Much to do about chipa

Another HUGE activity in Semana Santa in Paraguay is making chipa! Chipa already in Paraguay is a HUGE part of the culture. They have the chiperos (the men and women who sell chipa on the streets everyday) that are always present, along with all the supermarkets filled with fresh chipa 24/7. The chipa making day is inspired by the no meat Friday, in general it is the entire Passover period, however here they generally just do it the last Friday with no meat. Therefore, while not eating meat they eat tons of chipa! My family is the only house out of all my family, that has the special oven to make the chipa so they all came to my home and made chipa. It was somewhat of a contest to see whose was better because they all have ¨secret¨ recipes. 

these people are everywhere the chiperos selling chipa about $0.50 for a chipa in the streets.

First part is mixing the pig fat so that it has a ¨delicious smell¨ (this never happened for me personally) the mixing takes about twenty minutes of fast churning with your hand.

then you mix the flour, eggs, seasonings, and corn flour into it.

once it has the perfect consistancy you kneed it until it is firm and shapable.

then you continue to try to make cool shapes that all fail and you just make circles because they are easy.

repping for PARAGUAY

after all the dough is formed you cook it in the oven

it all is placed into banana leaves to add flavor and prevent burning

then you sit around, eat chipa and drink terere with the whole family :)