For the next two weeks, the foodie grocery store‘s aisles will be stocked with Argentinean labels, giving us Texans a chance to sample this nation’s fare. Though you may be familiar with empanadas (if you’re not — and even if you are — make sure to pick up a few from the chef’s case), you may not know about Havanna Dulce de Leche. And you really need to learn about Havanna Dulce de Leche.
It’s essentially a sweet, gooey, caramel-like substance made with with sugar, vanilla and cow’s milk. Apparently, Argentineans put this stuff in everything (cookies, desserts, coffee, biscuits) and even eat it straight up. And I can’t blame them. It’s delicious. Havanna also makes all kinds of cookies and sweets, and their products are to Argentineans what Nabisco cookies are to many Americans. The prices are great, too; when I was trying samples in the store last night, I was told that some Havanna cookies are $1 or $2 a box.
The whole point of Central Market‘s event, which lasts through May 25, is to try the food of a different culture. Their weekly specials encourage the purchase of Argentinean fare, and their cooking school classes (if not already sold out) focus on Argentinean recipes and winemakers. If you can’t make it to one of the empanada classes, visit Central Market’s website for recipes and a quick tutorial (scroll down beneath the calendar and click on the first tab).

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