Hallaca

Often referred to as Venezuelan tamale, hallaca is an elaborate dish usually served as a part of a Christmas dinner. It consists of a stew-like filling, usually made with meat, which is wrapped in corn flour dough, placed into plantain leaves, then tightly wrapped and boiled. The additional ingredients, often referred to as decorations, are placed on top of the stew and usually include olives, peppers, raisins, or even boiled eggs. There is a popular belief that the dish was invented by the Venezuelan slaves, who used the leftover ingredients provided by the wealthy landowners in order to create this unique Venezuelan dish. Modern-day varieties differ throughout Venezuela; they incorporate different ingredients and families usually have their unique signature recipes.