Venezuelan Food

Owing to European influence, in majority of the cases, Venezuelan food has taste that may resemble Spanish, Italian, and French cuisine. However, over the years, Venezuelan food has undergone transformation to taste more like typical Venezuelan food. The type of food consumed by Venezuelans depends largely on the areas in which people reside. So, Venezuelan food is regional.

For instance, in the coastal areas you will find shellfish and fishes of different types. Potatoes or tuber and yucca are frequently consumed in highlands. Pasta, corn, and rice are common every where. One of the main ingredients used in Venezuela food is cumin

National dish

The national dish of Venezuela is pabello. Pabello consists of shredded meat and stew which is consumed along with banana, rice, and black beans.

Venezuela food and restaurants

Breakfast comprises a combination of the following –

Tea/coffee

Juice

Crescent rolls of ham

Cachitos de Jamon etc
The major meal of the day is the midday meal. There are many restaurants which serve authentic Venezuelan food. The cost of a square meal is not much. Referred to as menu cubierto, the meals are not very expensive. Dinner comprises light snacks.

Common dishes

Venezuelan food consists of a variety of dishes. And some of them include the following–

Arepa This is one of the most widely consumed dishes in Venezuela and it is quite famous. It is basically a cornmeal cake which can be fried, baked or grilled. It is split open and the filling consists mainly of meat and cheese. The filling can also be of bacon and eggs.

Empanadas These are corn flour stuffed patties. The empanadas are usually filled with a variety of fillings which comprise clams and shark.

Cachapas This is similar to American pancake. Cachapa is made from sugar, oil, salt and corn puree. You can have this food with other accompaniments like jam, pork, cream, and white cheese etc

In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are few others that include the following –

Cachitos de Jamon

Casaba

Ensalada caprese

Chivo al coco

Hallaca

Guasacaca

Noquis

Lengua de Res

Pabellon criollo

Mandoca

Pastiche

Pan de jamon

Tajadas

Sopa De Mondongo

Desserts

The following dishes are served as dessert –

Cannoli

Besito de coco

Bien Me Sabe

Quesillo

Dulce de Lechoza

Dulce de Leche etc