La hallaca es mucho más que un plato típico de la Navidad en Venezuela; es un elemento fundamental que une familias y perpetúa tradiciones. En este momento te llevaremos a un recorrido por sus orígenes, los ingredientes necesarios y el proceso detallado para su elaboración, con el propósito de resaltar la importancia de esta tradición y motivar su preservación.
The hallaca is much more than a typical Christmas dish in Venezuela; it is a fundamental element that unites families and perpetuates traditions. At this time we will take you on a tour of its origins, the necessary ingredients and the detailed process for its elaboration, with the purpose of highlighting the importance of this tradition and motivating its preservation.
Let's talk about its history.
The hallaca has its roots in the cultural fusion that characterized the colonial era. It is believed to have emerged from the combination of ingredients left over from large dinners, which slaves mixed with corn dough and wrapped in banana leaves for cooking. Over time, this simple preparation evolved into the dish we know today, with a rich variety of ingredients that reflect Venezuelan cultural diversity, this delicious dish can be considered one of my favorites.
The ingredients to be used are as follows:
The preparation of the hallaca requires a list of ingredients that, although extensive, guarantees the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Preparation Step by Step✏️
The elaboration of the hallaca is a detailed process that involves the whole family, from the preparation of the ingredients to the final cooking. Below, we describe each stage:
Preparing the plantain leaves: In our home previously when we prepared it, we proceeded to select the leaves, which are not cut, dry or mistreated, after selecting several leaves, the next step is to smoke them, we made it to firewood, then proceed to wash the leaves, and finally cut them, so that the ends are square.
Preparation of the stew: The seasonings are fried and then proceed with the preparation of the hallacas stew correctly. Once ready, add the meat, the pork and chicken (the chicken is optional), the meats are added raw. And the pre-cooked chickpeas so that the hallaca cooking time is less.
Prepare the dough: Mix the corn flour with the onotado oil and the chicken broth if you like, this would be optional, until you get a soft and manageable dough. Add salt to taste.
Elaboration of the hallacas: Spread a portion of dough evenly on a banana leaf. Place a spoonful of the preparation of the stew with the meat and the pork, and in the center place the capers, olives, and raisins according to the family taste. Close the sheet carefully, forming a tamale-like shape, and tie it with a wick.
Wrapping the hallacas.
Tying the hallacas.
Cook the hallacas: In a large pot with boiling water and salt, cook the hallacas for approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on the quantity. In our case it was 4 hours.
Many people prefer to cook hallacas over firewood, as it gives them a smokier flavor, but it would be more laborious.
In the back of our house we conditioned the place to make the fire pit, in the following images we can see the before and after.
Firewood used:
Placing the hallacas to cook. 4 Hours of cooking.
Luego de sacarlas y dejarlas reposar, ya están listas para disfrutar de este delicioso plato navideño.
After removing them and letting them rest, they are ready to enjoy this delicious Christmas dish.
Family Union.
The preparation of hallacas is not only a culinary process, but also a ritual that strengthens family ties. Each member of the family usually has an assigned role, turning the kitchen into a space of joy and collaboration. It is common for this event to be accompanied by traditional music, such as gaitas, which adds a festive touch to the atmosphere.
Practical Tips for a Perfect Hallaca:
- Organization: Divide tasks among family members to streamline the process.
- Quality of ingredients: Use fresh products to guarantee the best flavor.
- Enough time: Dedicate a full day to preparation to enjoy the process without rushing.
- Taste the stew: Make sure the stew is well seasoned before assembling the hallacas.
The hallaca is much more than a Christmas dish; it is a tradition that connects generations and celebrates the cultural diversity of Venezuela. Preparing it is an act of love and dedication that reminds us of the importance of sharing moments with our loved ones.
This year, when tasting a hallaca, let's celebrate not only its flavor, but also the effort and passion it represents. Happy holidays and may the tradition continue to live on in our homes!
I used the deepl translator since my language is Spanish.
Excelente de verdad la hallaca es un patrimonio que nunca debe morir gracias por compartir @erick836
Claro @kelvinspace es un patrimonio muy especial. Saludos..
Así mismo es saludos hermano
Siempre lo dicho, la hallaca en Venezuela y ahora fuera del país, es referente de nuestras emociones por lña patria y nuestro amor por la familia y por la unión en el hogar.
Por un diciembre lleno de nbuenos augurios y por los deseos mejores que vamos dejando en cada una de las personas que amamos.
Excelente artículo, @erick836
Es así mismo mi querido amigo @emiliorios . me alegra mucho que te haya gustado. Felices fiestas...
¡Feliz Año, @erick836 y un gran abrazo!
Discord Felicitaciones, su publicación ha sido votada por @ dsc-r2cornell. Puedes usar el tag #R2cornell. También, nos puedes encontrar en
Muchisimas gracias, usaremos la etiqueta muy pronto. saludos
A pollinator from The Pollen Nation feels this post deserves extra attention!
We appreciate your contribution to the blockchain.
For more information or to reach out to us, join our Discord server!
Me encanta ver siempre como cada familia le da su toque personal a las hallacas y siempre en esta temporada me gusta ver las preparaciones de cada casa. En mi caso particular, somos llaneros y le colocamos papas y huevos adicional al guiso.
Creo que más que una comida, hacer hallacas es signo de unión familiar y ahora que estoy mucho más grande, lo entiendo a la perfección.
Es así, cada familia le da su toque unico a sus platos, lo que les da un sabor caracteristico, me diste una nueva idea para la realización de las proximas hallacas, nunca se me habia ocurrido con papas y huevos, vamos a probar😋. Feliz navidad..
Si el año que viene las haces, me cuentas qué tal te quedaron, a mí me encantan!!
Tómalo como un hecho, con el favor de Dios la realizaremos y después te cuento...
Congratulations @erick836! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)
<table><tr><td><img src="https://images.hive.blog/60x70/https://hivebuzz.me/@erick836/comments.png?202412260357" /><td>You made more than 10 comments.<br />Your next target is to reach 50 comments. <p dir="auto"><sub><em>You can view your badges on <a href="https://hivebuzz.me/@erick836" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="This link will take you away from hive.blog" class="external_link">your board and compare yourself to others in the <a href="https://hivebuzz.me/ranking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="This link will take you away from hive.blog" class="external_link">Ranking<br /> <sub><em>If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word <code>STOP <p dir="auto"><strong>Check out our last posts: <table><tr><td><a href="/hive-139531/@hivebuzz/proposal-2526"><img src="https://images.hive.blog/64x128/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/hivebuzz/EogLPkRSg5NYTkFS9Ag4b5zuvMUBFz3bMuAZLgyMVNx5BpuhTFkxzoYzEKV5yVSqZ6t.png" /><td><a href="/hive-139531/@hivebuzz/proposal-2526">The Hive Gamification Proposal - Renewal<tr><td><a href="/christmas/@hivebuzz/christmas-2024"><img src="https://images.hive.blog/64x128/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/hivebuzz/48a4gxbkQPDKgMgmJ1sSWqc4FpvuFVG7uBQwX26wrQR6sYmdAJnAdDKzrEg1a2hdq5.png" /><td><a href="/christmas/@hivebuzz/christmas-2024">Christmas Season is Back - Gift your Loved FriendsMuchas gracias, estaremos mejorando cada vez más🙏