El Mono Español · CC BY-SA 4.0Payagua mascada (lampreado)
payagua mascada
Fried patties of boiled cassava and ground beef: a country snack that keeps for days.
What it is
Cassava is boiled, mashed and kneaded with ground beef, sautéed garlic and onion, salt and sometimes crushed crackers; the mixture is shaped into burger-like patties and fried in very hot oil. They come out golden outside and soft inside. They are served with a salad to lighten things up and are a fixture at San Juan festivities. In many areas the same preparation is called lampreado.
Ingredients
History
The name refers to the Payaguá, an Indigenous canoe people of the Paraguay River who, according to tradition, “chewed” something similar. Because it keeps for several days, it was a staple for travelers and cattle drovers. “Lampreado” comes from the Spanish verb lamprear, which described foods that were fried and then cooked.
Did you know…?
Names vary by region: if a menu lists payagua mascada and lampreado separately, ask what goes into each.
When
San Juan festivities (June) and country snacks.
Where
San Juan fairs nationwide; traditional copetines.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.