Mandoca
Encyclopedia
Mandoca is the Venezuela
n equivalent of a pretzel
. It is a deep fried cornmeal
ring that can be enjoyed while still hot, with butter and cheese. It is usually served at breakfast, and it is most popular in the western part of the country. The Mandoca is one of a variety of specialties exclusively created in the western state
of Zulia
. Though their relevance has been shaded by the new transnational tendencies because its creation was not intended for massive consumption or for marketing, it remains a basic and important part of the culinary culture of Zulia. It is made of corn meal, grated cheese, sugar or Papelón (most traditional recipes), which is a kind of sugar made from sugar cane and a variety of banana known as plantain
, that must be very ripe when used.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n equivalent of a pretzel
Pretzel
A pretzel is a type of baked food made from dough in soft and hard varieties and savory or sweet flavors in a unique knot-like shape, originating in Europe...
. It is a deep fried cornmeal
Cornmeal
Cornmeal is flour ground from dried maize or American corn. It is a common staple food, and is ground to fine, medium, and coarse consistencies. In the United States, the finely ground cornmeal is also referred to as cornflour. However, the word cornflour denotes cornstarch in recipes from the...
ring that can be enjoyed while still hot, with butter and cheese. It is usually served at breakfast, and it is most popular in the western part of the country. The Mandoca is one of a variety of specialties exclusively created in the western state
States of Venezuela
Venezuela is divided into 23 states , 1 Capital District and the Federal Dependencies that consist of a large number of Venezuelan islands...
of Zulia
Zulia
Zulia State is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Maracaibo. In June 30, 2010, it had an estimated population of 3,821,068, giving it the largest population among Venezuela's states. It is located in the northwestern part of the country...
. Though their relevance has been shaded by the new transnational tendencies because its creation was not intended for massive consumption or for marketing, it remains a basic and important part of the culinary culture of Zulia. It is made of corn meal, grated cheese, sugar or Papelón (most traditional recipes), which is a kind of sugar made from sugar cane and a variety of banana known as plantain
Plantain
Plantain is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa. The fruit they produce is generally used for cooking, in contrast to the soft, sweet banana...
, that must be very ripe when used.