Mandoca

Mandocas

Mandoca is the Venezuelan 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.