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Due to its location in the world, its diversity of industrial resources and the cultural diversity of the Venezuelan people, Venezuelan cuisine often varies greatly from one region to another; however, its cuisine, traditional as well as modern, has strong ties to its European ancestry (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) as well as a blend of African and Native American traditions. The most common foods by region can be broadly classified as follows:
- Eastern states (Oriente), south eastern-states (Guayana) and northern states (Caribe): a wide gamut of fresh and saltwater fish, seafood and crustaceans; tubers such as potato and yam; cereals such as corn, rice and pasta (where Venezuelans are number two in the world after Italy); beef; fresh vegetables and fruit (lettuce, tomatoes, plantains).
- Western states (occidente): common meats include goat (usually prepared with tomato) and rabbit ; extensive use of plantain and a variety of cheeses. Dishes are influenced by the local tribes as well as by Colombian cuisine.
- Central region: mainly poultry, beef, pork, fish (stewed or boiled), pasta (a predominant staple), rice, and salads. Influence from Europe (Italy in particular) as well as from other Venezuelan regions is readily noticeable.
- Llanos: beef and game (deer, chigüire, lapa, morrocoy, etc.), mostly grilled or roasted; corn (in the form of cachapas), several sorts of soft, white cheese (guayanés, de mano, crineja, etc.) and other milk derivates.
- Andean region: potatoes and other tubers, wheat; beef, lamb and chicken; not much fish as the region doesn't have a coastal line -the exception being trout, which is raised on fish farms. Dishes show European and native Andean peoples' influences.
Potatoes, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, eggplants, squashes and zucchini (commonly called "calabacines") are common sides to the Venezuelan diet.
Below is a list of popular and typical Venezuelan dishes and snacks:
Contents |
Main dishes
- Arepa
- Asado negro
- Bistec a caballo
- Bollo pelón
- Cachapa - Maize bread.
- Cachitos - de jamón, similar to French croissants
- Caraotas negras (black beans)
- Chicharrón
- Chivo en coco - a generous serving of shredded goat cooked in coconut milk, topped with mofongo (fried, mashed green bananas).
- Chupe Andino
- Corbullón de mero
- Empanada
- Ensalada de pollo - Chicken salad.
- Lengua de Res - Cow tongue "a la vinagretta" (in a vinaigrette)
- Mandoca
- Mondongo (Tripe).
- Ñoquis - Potato pasta, more prominent in the Central region.
- Hallaca - usually eaten at Christmas
- Hervido de gallina - Hen soup
- Pabellón criollo - Creole pavilion, the National dish.
- Pastel de pollo
- Pasticho - the Venezuelan version of lasagna; from the Italian pasticcio[1]
- Patacones
- Perico
- Pescado sudado
- Pisca Andina - soup commonly served in the Andes
- Pisillo de chigüire
- Polenta - it is also known as "Funche" in some areas of the country.
- Sancocho de pescado
- Sopa de rabo
- Torta de plátano - cake made with plantains
Typical snacks
Desserts
- Bienmesabe
- Besitos de coco - small and round coconut candy
- Cannoli - often called "cannoli siciliano"
- Conserva de coco
- Conserva de guayaba
- Dulce de leche - A solid version made in Coro.
- Dulce de lechosa
- Majarete
- Mousse de chocolate
- Pudín de chocolate - Chocolate pudding.
- Quesillo - Local-style caramel Flan.
- Pionono - Spanish rolled cake, also "brazo gitano"
- Profiterol
- Torta de queso - Cheese cake
- Zabaglione - Crema "Zabayon"
Beverages
- Chicha
- Frescolita
- Chinotto - Italian lemon/lime soda.
- Leche de burra
- Malta - Non-alcoholic carbonated malt.
- Toddy - Powdered sweetened chocolate, served with milk hot or cold.
- Papelón con limón
- Ponche crema
- Jugo de Parchita - Passion fruit juice.
- Jugo de mango
- Cocada - Coconut milkshake, found mostly in coastal areas.
Breads
- Pan Dulce
- Pan Chabata - Italian "ciabatta"
- Pan Frances or Canilla
- Pan Siciliano - round loaf of country bread.
- Pan De Jamón - usually filled with ham, olives, and raisins and usually eaten during the Christmas season.
Cheeses
- Queso de Año
- Queso de Bola relleno
- Queso de Cabra
- Queso de Mano
- Queso Mozzarella (Original Italian Cheese)
- Queso Guayanes
- Queso Telita
- Queso Paisa
- Queso Parmesano
- Cuajada andina
- Queso Palmizulia
- Queso Clineja - Venezuelan slang. RAE (Crizneja)
Cakes
- Marquesa de almendras - Almond marquise.
- Torta Burrera
- Torta de jojoto - Corn Cake
- Torta de pan - Bread cake.
- Torta negra
- Torta de auyama - Pumpkin cake.
- Torta Mil Hojas
- Torta Tres Leches
- Bienmesabe - made with coconut and meringue
Calle del Hambre
These street food stands are very common in Venezuela. The so-called Calle del Hambre, "Street of Hunger," is the name of a street or a combination of them that serve as a stage for a variety of street vendors to establish their business. The most common and popular is the "Perreros", where one can get a pepito, hamburger, or perro caliente. Other vendors sell arepas, Mexican food, or typical Venezuelan food. This food is not governed by the regulations of high standard cuisine or even homemade meals, however, the massive consumption of this kind of food can produce too much fat on the body, caused by the high caloric content of this food. Fast food stands in Venezuela usually sell hot dogs, hamburgers and pepito, but the most common vendors do not sell pepitos. Hot dogs are served in two ways: one is the wiener style sausage, which is placed in a steamed hot dog bun and served with portions of different types of condiments and fixings (typically chopped fried potatoes, cabbage salad, and chopped onions). Some vendors use shredded American cheese. Sauces and toppings include ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, guasacaca, garlic sauce, onion sauce, hot chili and tartar sauce. There are other vendors who sell hot dogs with Polish sausage, using the same condiments and fixings. Hamburgers use the same condiments and fixings as hot dogs, but the vendors often add fried ham, fried cheese, and fried egg with the hamburger. Some vendors also use avocado, tomato, bacon, alfalfa seeds, and more to create their own signature on their hamburgers. Hamburgers can be made with beef, chicken, pork chop or chorizo. The very special pepito is a combination of beef and hot dog. This consists of a huge hot dog which instead of sausage has grilled beef or chicken, served in a French style bun. Some vendors use pork chops as well. The pork chop's variations of service on the vendors are called "Chuleton".
Others
- Guasacaca - sauce made with avocado, cilantro, peppers, onions, and garlic. There are two varieties: green (mild) and red (hot).
- Patacones
- Salpicón
- Tajadas - fried plantain slices
Notes
- ^ Romero, Aldemaro (21 June 1998). ""Pasticho"". notitarde.com (Spanish). http://200.44.123.155/1998/06/21/opinion/aldemaro_romero/index.html. Retrieved 2006-04-28.
External links
See also
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