A lot of people know Venezuela because of the oil and the crisis happening there, both politically and economically. This lovely country isn’t just that. It is filled with gorgeous landscapes, beautiful culture, friendly people, and amazing food. Venezuela is located in South America near the equator, neighboring Colombia, Brazil, and Panama. The weather is nice all year round. It’s hot in the summer and cool in the winter – it only snows in the mountain. Venezuelans are very social and they enjoy elevator talks. If you meet them by the elevator, you might end up standing there and chatting with one your neighbor for about 30 minutes. And lastly, the food is exotic and tasty. I would like to recommend three of my favorite food in Venezuela.
1. Arepas
One of the most common and oldest food in Venezuela is Arepa. I would always it eat for breakfast or at a steakhouse and some people may have it anytime during the day. It is said that this delicacy came from the native people that used to live in the Northern part of South America. This type of like-bread is made of ground maize dough and not bread flour. Arepas are usually eaten like sandwiches and they usually accompanied with meats, fresh cheese, avocadoes, and scrambled eggs. Also, if you are vegan, Arepas is the way to go.
2. Hallaca
I remember eating this dish only during the winter holiday. It is very difficult to find this dish during the non-holiday season. This dish is usually eaten during Christmas. It is said to have been originated by slaves during the colonial time. The slaves would prepare hallaca fillings for their own Christmas meal from the landowner’s leftover meal.
This food consists of corn dough filled with pork and chicken stew, or pork or chicken stew, capers, raisins, cashews, bell pepper, pickled baby onions, prunes, and olives and it is wrapped with banana leaves. Now, many Venezuelans family get together during the holiday to make this delicious Chinese rice dumplings-like and share them with themselves and their friends.
3. Tequeños
I remember eating this as a snack when I was a kid. My mom would either bake it or fry it and I would have them when my friends came over to my house. This finger food is a fried breaded cheese stick with fresh cheese stuffed in the middle. It is very popular in Venezuela. It is said that it was invented in the kitchen by los Teques, one of the wealthy family living in Venezuela.
This can also be eaten for breakfast, as a starter, a side dish, or as a snack food at parties and weddings. So, if you are hungry in the middle of the day, you can indulge yourself with this cheesy breaded stick accompanied with some tea.
Since Venezuela is still a bit dangerous to visit, you can still find most of its traditional dishes elsewhere in the world. You can go to countries like Spain, the US, or England. So, if you would like to try them, travel to other countries and try these exotic foods.