Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Venezualan Fast Food in the Canary Islands
Given that many Canary Islanders have emigrated to Venezuela and that many have returned with their families, it should come as no surprise that Venezuelan food has had a marked impact on the local cuisine of these islands. There are Areperas (arepa bars) in most areas and, even where there aren't, you'll most likely find a bar that advertises that they are available at certain times of the day or week, such as is the case in one of the bars around the square in Buenavista del Norte.
My local supermarket sells a variety of Venezuelan specialities, as do many others and there can hardly be a food store on the islands that does not sell the special flour for making Arepas. (It should be noted that I know Canarians who have never been to Venezuela, nor have close relatives who did, but who still make these at home.) When, a few years ago, there was a shortage of imported Venezuelan prepared arepa flour in the islands, it was considered to be a very serious matter indeed!
Because arepas are so "normal" here, I therefore found it quite amusing to read that the latest chic and trendy cheap eats in New York's East Village can be found at the Caracas Arepa Bar. Jaunted travel blog, who describe the experience here, as I do, labour under the assumption (and I have no intention of investigating its correctness) that arepas are a whole lot healthier than most other forms of fast food.
NB: If you can read the French description with the photo, you'll see that the author says they like the spicy sauce with the chicken (as shown) and the green avocado sauce with the beef (carne mechada). Perfect: I could not agree more!
My local supermarket sells a variety of Venezuelan specialities, as do many others and there can hardly be a food store on the islands that does not sell the special flour for making Arepas. (It should be noted that I know Canarians who have never been to Venezuela, nor have close relatives who did, but who still make these at home.) When, a few years ago, there was a shortage of imported Venezuelan prepared arepa flour in the islands, it was considered to be a very serious matter indeed!
Because arepas are so "normal" here, I therefore found it quite amusing to read that the latest chic and trendy cheap eats in New York's East Village can be found at the Caracas Arepa Bar. Jaunted travel blog, who describe the experience here, as I do, labour under the assumption (and I have no intention of investigating its correctness) that arepas are a whole lot healthier than most other forms of fast food.
NB: If you can read the French description with the photo, you'll see that the author says they like the spicy sauce with the chicken (as shown) and the green avocado sauce with the beef (carne mechada). Perfect: I could not agree more!
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Great, great blog!!!!
Kisses from Portugal