Arepas: stuffed sandwiches filled with Latin flavor

Where Can I Get it?  |  How Can I Make It?

What are arepas?  

An arepa is a savory food that originated from Venezuela, Colombia and Panama.  It is consists of a cooked corn flour patty (either maize meal or flour) usually topped or stuffed like a sandwich with various combinations of meat (beef, chicken or fish), cheese, eggs, veggies and sauces.  Arepas can be cooked in many ways—grilled, fried, baked, boiled or steamed.  As a staple food in several Latin American countries, they are traditionally eaten for breakfast, but can also be eaten as a meal or snack throughout the day.

Where can I get it? 

Arepas can be found in most Colombian and Venezuelan restaurants.  Here are some places you can visit to enjoy some of the best arepas around.

Denver, CO: Quiero Arepas

San Diego, CA: Arepex Grill

Las Vegas, NV: Viva Las Arepas

San Francisco, CA: Pica Pica

Washington D.C.: Arepa Zone

Looking for more places that serve arepas?  You can find them on Glutto right here.

How can I make it?  

Arepas require few ingredients and are as easy as making pancakes.  The most difficult thing is deciding what kind of filling you want to stuff them with.  Here’s a simple recipe that you can also save on Glutto here.

Special Tools

• 1 kitchen towel
• 1 large bowl

Ingredients

• 1 pound of PAN corn meal
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 4 cups water (luke warm)
• filling (as you like – e.g. shredded beef, chicken, vegetables, beans, cheese, butter, etc.)

Directions

1. First, combine the vegetable shortening, salt and water in a large bowl.
2. Pour the corn meal a bit at a time while mixing to create a smooth dough mixture.
3. Moisten towel and cover dough.  Rest dough for 10-15 mins.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F
5. Shape the dough into large patties about 5 in. across and 1/2 in. thick and place on an oven tray.
6. Put the arepas on the middle oven rack for another 10-15 mins, or until the exterior is slightly crunchy.
7. Cut along an edge of each arepa and separate the top and bottom sides to create a pocket.
8. Completely fill the arepas with the fillings of your choice.  Enjoy!