An arepa is a flat, dish-shaped patty made of maize flour that can be fried or grilled. Arepas are one of the most popular snacks in Venezuela and Colombia at all meals—breakfast, lunch o
r dinner—and they go with everything. Sometimes the entire family or a group of friends get together, put on some music and prepare this spectacular mix of flavors and colors. Every single family has their way of preparing this dish, and every single person will say, “There is no other arepa like the one that my mom, or grandmother prepares.” The arepa is a point of family pride, something that identifies every single person. “This special dish brings all cultures together,” said Richard Pena, freshman finance major.
Arepas are made with a quick-cooking corn flour called masarepa, and are naturally gluten free. The masarepa absorbs added water and turns into a dough. No need to add anything else but a pinch of salt before kneading it up and throwing it into a frying pan. According to Pena, “arepas are stuffed–make that overstuffed–with any filling you desire.” Some popular fillings are veggie-meat, cheese and veggies.
Ready to try something new? Pena along with a group of friends created Los Primos, a small food service providing a delicious alternative to Southern students. Next time you are craving some South American food, try some arepas. Follow Los Primos on Instagram for more information: @los___primos (3 underscores).
Image credit: Richard Pena