Paches

Paches are like Tamales but made out of potato or rice. The potatoes/rice are creamed and soft. Along with the starch is a sauce and a small piece of meat (usually chicken or pork) in the center. They are wrapped, cooked, and served in leaves (I think usually banana leaves). They are always served steaming hot and I think that it makes a great mushy (in the best way) comfort food. In true Guatemalan fashion, this carbohydrate-based meal almost always comes with bread (white bread). I ate all of it. Unlike my Guatemalan host family members, I usually have one or two pieces of white bread with my Pache. They usually have about four pieces. 

Paches are the typical Christmas food here. Whenever the topic of Christmas comes up, Guatemalans always asks me if Americans eat Paches for Christmas. When I tell them no they seem surprised and then ask me what do we eat at Christmas. 

Usually they are whiter in color,
but this one had the sauce thoroughly mixed in.