Thaya: Dessert of Bolivia

What is it?

Thaya is a dessert original of the Potosí region in Bolivia. Its name, Thaya is a quechua word meaning “cold”, “ice cold” or “frozen”. There’s a great variety of thayas, be them of sweet potatoes, apples, milk or any fruit you wish to make it with.
This is a treat usually prepared by the whole family and enjoyed by all, also.

Recipe

Ingredients:

3 apples
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 cup of sugar
1/3 cup of water
½ cup of water with a bit of sugar in it
½ cup of water

Preparation:

Make syrup with the cup of sugar and the 1/3 cup of water, while the apples are being cooked in water. Once the apples are ready, smash them and mix them with the ½ cup of water that was brought to a boil with the cinnamon, the cloves in and the syrup we just took to a point of thread. The consistence of this must be a rather hard one, or semi hard. It should be worked and made in the shape of little bricks, set all on cooking sheets and put them outside in the cold weather so that they freeze. By first hours in the early morning, maybe 4 o’clock, they should be spread with the ½ cup of sweetened water. In the early morning they are to be cut in pieces, and are ready to be eaten as a special Potosi dessert. This is a winter dessert in Bolivia, mainly in the Potosi region.