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Hallacas, a dish from Venezuela

Hallacas

Venezuela

Also known as Hayacas

About Hallacas

Hallacas are Venezuela's traditional Christmas dish: parcels of corn dough filled with a rich stew of beef, pork and chicken, wrapped in banana leaves, tied with string and boiled. They are similar to tamales but larger and flatter.

The dough is colored yellow-orange with annatto oil. The filling, called guiso, is cooked with wine, peppers and spices, and each parcel is topped with olives, raisins, capers, almonds, onion and sweet pepper before being folded and tied.

Making hallacas is a family event in December, with relatives gathered around the table to prepare dozens or even hundreds of them. They are served at Christmas and New Year with ham bread (pan de jamón), chicken salad and pernil (roast pork).

Ingredients