Bandeja Paisa History

The “bandeja paisa” is named after a community of people indigenous of the Andes regions known as “Paisas” or “Antioqueños”. It is also known by other names such as bandeja montañera, bandeja arriero, or bandeja antioqueña. The word “bandeja” means “platter or tray” and thus the dish can literally translate to “Paisa platter”. The dish was created at a time where Colombia was colonized and the people from Medellin or “Paisas” were employed as field workers and animal herders and their job required them to travel long and tiresome journeys to transport different supplies. In order to prepare their bodies for this laborious trips through the mountains, they would consume this extremely high calorie meal as it would provide them with enough energy