Fiambre

Fiambre is a dish that is served during a specific holiday in Guatemala. Fiambre is a unique salad prepared and consumed yearly for All Saints Day (Dia de Todos Santos) and the Day of the Dead. It is widely regarded as a Guatemalan national dish (Dia de los Muertos).

Fiambre was thought to have begun when families tending to the graves of their loved ones would bring food – usually what their loved ones enjoyed when they were still alive – and share a meal. They believe this will rekindle their bond with them. Because Guatemalans are known for their warmth and friendliness, they eventually share what they have with other neighboring families visiting their gravesite, resulting in fiambre.

Fiambre translates to "cold meat" or "cold cuts" in Spanish. It's a combination of various ingredients served cold on a large plate. A fiambre recipe includes an assortment of meats, cheeses, pickled relishes, and vegetables, with an average of forty ingredients, making it the mother of all salads.