Hi everyone, this is my first post, so I thought I'd start with something chocolate.

I'm actually not much of a dessert fan, but when I was in Argentina last year I developed a serious attachment to the cookie sandwich known as an alfajor. This delicious concoction is two spongy cornmeal cookies cradling rich dulce du leche caramel. The whole thing is then covered in dark chocolate. It's chewy, creamy, very sweet, very rich and bite-size. Just about perfect. But since Latin food is the weakest link in Toronto's otherwise very strong food chain, I despaired of ever eating them again.

On Sunday afternoon I heard about a Latin American festival at Mel Lastman Square, which was a must, considering my devotion to the food of the region. The rain was a bit of a downer but I did manage to put away some Mexican beef tacos, Cuban tamales and Colombian plantain with cheese.

I was just about to leave when I noticed a long, long line (always a draw when it's food involved). I craned my neck to see what they were selling and was very excited to see a sign promoting alfajores. I have never seen Argentinian food in Toronto before (the 26-versions-of-empanadas place in Kensington never has the Argentino version), so I got in line immediately.

The little bundles of joy were a mere $1.50 and, curiously enough, they were the best alfajores I have ever had. In Argentina I mostly ate packaged ones by a company called Havanna, so I think these were the first homemade ones I have tried. They were so good that I immediately got back in line to get more.

Sorry not to have photos but I forgot my camera and I tried very hard to bring one back with me for a snap but I could not stop myself from devouring it on the way home. The one up top is from this catalog. Handy Wikipedia has the history and a link to other sites with recipes and other stuff.

The happy ending to this story is that the bakery where they're made is on the subway line, in High Park. The owner gave me her card so I'll post the deets. They also make empanadas (meat pies) and churros (long donuts dusted with sugar). I intend to make it there soon but if you get there first please let me know about it.

Las Palmas
1900 Bloor St. W., 416-245-0808