Spanish Influence in Louisiana

On Sunday March 9, some students and I traveled down to the Islenos Cultural Heritage Society festival, where we were able to experience several aspects of Louisiana that exist up north, focused primarily on Latin American Culture. The festival seemed of course regular as any other, rides for children, raffles, and things of purchase. However,one thing that struck out to me though was how the varying cultures seemed to blend, especially through food. One example of this was seen in some of the foods sold at the festival. I had the chance to try a piece of Tres Leche Cake (meaning “3 milks” in Spanish) which is a type of sponge cake soaked in evaporated condensed milk. This dish is well known in Latin American culture and was sold at the market. The Spanish influence is one that I feel is not often mentioned in Louisiana mostly because of the general population’s familiarity with the French and the Louisiana Purchase, but as I got a chance to hear a little bit about the background of Louisiana’s history from local residents that gave tours at the festival, I came to understand a little more about the history of those that settled in the state that came from areas as far as the Canary Islands.

I continued to see parts of New Orleans that had became influenced by Spanish heritage when the next day I went and had dinner at a well known Spanish restaurant called “Lola’s”. The restaurant known for its Paellas which are a seasoned blend of rice, some kind of meat/seafood and vegetables was very familiar among customers, with the

exception of most of us foreigners. There were several appetizers I had recognized by name that I had seen some friends order and some that were on the menu (gazpacho, ceviche). Though small, I began to understand why the restaurant easily filled up as we began to wait for our orders, when the food finally came around it was delicious! I have had all kinds of rice, but never one with so many different flavors and spices so well cooked.  The meal overall was great and I got some flan to go just because I had to know how authentic their flan was. That also did not disappoint.To say the least, I am beginning to understand that there is a good amount of Latin American culture  that can be found in the city of New Orleans.