One of the best parts about traveling is experiencing and learning about other cultures.  Exposure to a different lifestyle allows a different perspective that we might not get at home.  A vacation can expose one to different languages, traditions, climates and most importantly, for this article, foods.

Honduras is no exception when it comes unique societies.  With its particular mix of Spanish, English, Mestizo and Black Carib histories among others, the country displays a cultural blend found nowhere else.  When it comes to food, there’s one dish that unique to the country and famous amongst its residents.  And that dish is the baleada.

What Is A Baleada?

The baleada is found in most restaurants and in roadside food stands all over the country, including near Roatan rentals, West Bay.  At its most basic, the easiest way to describe a baleada is a warmed, thick wheat flour tortilla filled with refried beans, cheese and a type of sour cream.  It can be filled with many other ingredients (which we’ll get to later) and is easily held in one hand while eaten.

The History Of The Baleada

The word baleada is said to have been derived from the Spanish word for bullets, balas.  Baleada can be loosely translated as shot.  One legend behind the name of baleadas describes a woman who sold tortilla wraps being fired upon one day.  After recuperating, locals would say they were going to the baleada when they were looking to buy something to eat.

Another version of the name’s origin comes from the description of the baleada fillings.  Beans became known as the bullets since they explode when you bite into them, the cheese is the gunpowder and the tortilla is the gun.  When all the pieces are put together you end up with a baleada.  Typically, a baleada is eaten as a snack between meals, a shot of sorts, to get you to your next proper meal.  Perhaps that is why the name, bullet, stuck.  The name implies a shot of needed energy–a healthy, mid-morning or mid-afternoon, pick me up. Even so, many would argue it can be a meal in itself, especially with the addition of a variety of substantial toppings to the simple baleada.

Types Of Baleadas

Baleada Sencilla (Simple Baleada)

The simple version of the baleada is the one described above.  A fresh, thick flour tortilla about 8 to 12 inches in diameter is heated on a grill until slightly browned. The tortilla will be warm and somewhat crispy, but still soft enough to be folded over without breaking.  The tortilla is filled with mashed, refried red beans, topped with queso duro, a salty hard cheese, and queso crema, which looks and tastes similar to sour cream, but is actually a type of cheese as well.  The tortilla is folded over and wrapped in tinfoil to allow for easy transport and to act as a catchall for any drippings.

There are a variety of other fillings that can be added to make different versions of the popular food.  The baleada especial (special baleada) or baleada mixta (mixed baleada) contains all of the ingredients found in a baleada sencilla, but with the addition of scrambled eggs.  Other super special baleadas can contain fillings such as avocado (aguacate), chicken (pollo), beef (res), pork (cerdo) and a variety of vegetables such as onions, peppers or plantain. Hot sauce and salsa are also very popular additions.

The Honduran National Food

Although it may not be the official national food, the baleada is definitely the unofficial, yet very traditional Honduran dish.  If you’re visiting Honduras, your visit will not be complete without trying a baleada or few. Across the island of Roatan, whether you are staying at Roatan rentals, West Bay, West End or even Punta Gorda, you can be sure that you are only a few minutes away from a vendor or restaurant that is preparing delicious baleadas.