Golosinas

The word golosina is used in Ecuador to mean treats or sweets. Someone who really likes treats is referred to as goloso(a), and the same word can also be used to refer to a person or even an animal who is overly indulgent in other ways. There is a different term that is a more literal translation of the English phrase "junk food" -- comida chatarra -- but it is less used here than golosina.

We are fairly strict with our kids when it comes to junk food. To be clear, I love a late night bowl of ice cream or a mid-day bag of potato chips. I even love Halloween candy, but I regulate myself, and Paul and I regulate our kids. We allow them small amounts, and I often tell them I want them to prioritize eating "real food". Luckily, in Ecuador, there is a lot of excellent real food, of which I have previously written: yummy soups, fresh beans and grains, tropical fruits and fruit juices, even decent veggies.

However, there is also a culture of children binging on golosinas, particularly once the sun goes down or when headed out on an adventure. Little tiendas that sell golosinas are everywhere, and most items are sold in single servings. Kids beg their parents for and are often given $0.25, sometimes more, and subsequently wander around gnawing on candy, popsicles, jello, soda, chips and other junk. I doubt that their intake is more than American children's junk food consumption; it is just more public.

It is an interesting cultural norm to observe and navigate with our children. We sometimes let them get something because, well, because . . I've written about indulgence previously.

Just this weekend, while Paul was away, the kids and I went to the cancha store to get chocobananas after dinner. Chocobananas are exactly what they sound like: frozen bananas, dipped and covered in a thin chocolate shell. They are typically homemade by whomever is selling them, and they cost $0.25 each. I quite like them, mostly because they fulfill a sense of nostalgia -- I remember helping Lucia make them years ago when she sold them from her storefront -- but also because bananas in Ecuador are delicious, and who can argue against a fresh frozen banana with chocolate?

And with that long introduction, what follows is a silly set of poetic musings on our family's favorite Ecuadorian golosinas. Namely, panchitos (J's favorite), pipas (D's favorite), chupetes (B's favorite) and bolos. I don't think we are going to win any poetry awards.

Panchitos

Panchitos are corn flour filled with air

They're sold just about everywhere

They're crunchy and cheap

A salty neat treat

Like Cheeto puffs

There's never enough

Pipas

Pipas are Dillon's favorite treat

He likes to eat them walking down the street

They're sunflower seeds, adorned with a twist

Lemon, salt, and passion fruit spritz

Chupetes

Chupetes are candy with sticks

You suck them with plenty of licks

Often within reach,

They're fifteen cents each

Bubblegum at their core

Brynna girl wants one more

Bolos

Bolos are juice or yogurt that's iced

Tied up tight in a bag real nice

You bite the end and suck the goods out

Not too fast, or you'll freeze your mouth

And there you have it! A quick tour of our favorite Ecua-treats.