Hallacas

Hallacas are the South American (Venezuelan) version of a tamale. Masa (corn dough) is spread on a banana leaf (rather than corn husk) and filled with sweet and savory fillings such as ground beef, pork or chicken, cheese, olives or raisins. The bundles are tied then steamed.

These tamales are typically prepared for Christmas.  Recipes vary substantially from family to family as is common with local foods.  A very similar tamale, Nacatamales, are eaten in Nicaragua and El Salvador.  See recipe below.

This is a recipe term.  If you want to make a similar dish see recipes for Mexican tamales.  If you need substitutes for individual hallaca ingredients just search our dictionary by the specific ingredient.