About hallaca
dish from Venezuela
Hallaca is a traditional Venezuelan dish. Its origin is indigenous, but raisins, capers, olives, and sometimes bits of bacon were added in the 16th Century and after by settlers from the Iberian peninsula. Hallaca consists of corn dough stuffed with a stew of beef, pork, or chicken and other ingredients such as raisins, capers, and olives, fresh onion rings, red and green bell pepper slices. There are vegetarian hallacas, made with black beans or tofu. Hallacas are folded in plantain leaves, tied with strings, and boiled. The dish is traditionally served during the Christmas season and has several regional variants. It has been described as a national dish of Venezuela. Some speculate it originated from the Orinoquia. Characteristic of the hallaca is the delicate corn dough made with consommé or broth, and lard colored with annatto. Hallacas are also commonly eaten in eastern Cuba, Trinidad where it is called pastelle, and parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Aruba, and Curaçao.
Components
- maize
- table salt
- meat
- olive
- onion
- garlic
- tomato
- chorizo
- hard-boiled egg
- bay leaf
- bell pepper
- vegetable oil
- raisin
- cumin seed
- paprika
- black pepper
- vinegar
- almond
- wine
- Banana Leaves
- caper
- Bixa orellana
Dietary Information
✓ Must-try when visiting Venezuela
Traditional Venezuela cuisine
