In Argentina, merienda (afternoon snack) is a cherished tradition, typically enjoyed between 4 PM and 6 PM. It is usually accompanied by a café con leche (coffee with milk) or a submarino, a traditional hot drink made by melting a bar of dark chocolate in warm milk. Here are some classic Argentine treats to try during this time:
1. Medialunas (Argentinian Crescent Rolls)
These soft crescent rolls are the Argentine take on traditional French croissants. Though similar, medialunas are slightly smaller, moister, and a bit sweeter. There are two traditional types: the larger medialuna de manteca (made with butter) and the smaller medialuna de grasa (made with lard).
Medialunas are usually glazed with a rum-and-sugar coating and are best enjoyed with a strong coffee with milk or yerba mate, Argentina’s traditional herbal tea. Locals often pair them with sweet spreads like dulce de leche, jellies, or chocolate. They can be found in panaderías (traditional bakeries) throughout the country.
2. Alfajores (Argentinian Sandwich Cookies)
Argentinian alfajores are sweet sandwich cookies made with two crumbly rounds and a dulce de leche filling. They are then coated in chocolate or sprinkled with powdered sugar.
3. Cubanitos (Argentine Wafer Rolls)
Cubanitos are crispy wafer tubes filled with sweet fillings, most commonly dulce de leche. They resemble Cuban cigars, hence the name. Other fillings include chocolate, lemon cream, pasta bon o bon (peanut cream), or whipped cream.
4. Pastafrola (Sweet Tart with Quince or Dulce de Leche)
Pastafrola is a traditional tart with a buttery shortcrust pastry and a sweet filling, typically quince paste, dulce de leche, guava jam, or sweet potato jam.
5. Tortas Fritas
Tortas fritas are fried biscuits from Argentina and Uruguay, consisting of flour, butter, lard, milk, and baking powder. The dish is traditionally consumed with a cup of yerba mate, usually on rainy afternoons during autumn and winter. It is customarily served with fruit jams or dulce de leche on the side.
6. Pastelitos Criollos
These crispy Argentinian pastries are typically star-shaped, while the center is filled with quince or sweet potato preserve (dulce). They are usually deep-fried and then brushed with a sugar glaze. Optionally, they can be filled with dulce de leche and topped with colorful sprinkles.
7. Bolas de fraile
Bolas de fraile is the Argentine and Uruguayan version of a doughnut. It is made without a hole in the center, and the doughnut is usually filled with dulce de leche, then dusted with powdered sugar. It is believed that bolas de fraile is derived from a popular Germany pastry called Berliner Pfannkuchen.
The name of these tasty doughnuts means balls of weakness, and it is said that the name was invented by anti-clergy anarchists who wanted to oppose a harsh regime that was imposed by the Catholic church.
For Drink :
Mate
Mate is a herbal infusion prepared with dried and ground leaves of the yerba mateplant. The drink originated among the native Guarani people who are believed to have been the first to harvest the plant and make mate. The leaves are traditionally steeped and served in a hollowed gourd, together with a bombilla—a specialized metal straw that also functions as a sieve.
The drink is an integral part of the South American culture, and it has always been prepared and enjoyed at various gatherings, while both the gourd and the bombilla are typically shared among the entire group. The infusion is rich in caffein, and it is charaterized by a slightly bitter herbal flavor.
Although it is a common drink in other South American countries such as Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil, Argentina is the largest producer and consumer of mate. Traditional mate should always be prepared with hot water, never boiling, while the varieties may employ cold water, sweeteners, fruit juice, or other additions.
El submarino
This Argentine treat is basically reinvented hot chocolate. Literally translated, el submarino means submarine, referring to the way that the beverage is made – a thick piece of dark chocolate is sunk into a mug filled with hot milk, and when stirred, the milk becomes hot chocolate.
This delicious drink is especially popular during winter, and it is recommended to add some sugar for a sweeter version.
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