Last week, while writing about desserts or sweets made with wheat flour, I remembered that in Venezuela there are sweets that we only find on the roads that link one city to another or from one state to another, or at best, We find them in the bus terminals or airports. These types of snacks or desserts are only exclusive to certain areas of the country and generally we do not find them in other parts, so it is normal, that if we travel to these places where they are from, we try to buy them and savor them.

Venezuelans, as well as most people, are in the habit of bringing gifts of the different trips they make. It's normal for them to buy flannels, bags, fridge magnets, candy, some kind of souvenir to give to family and friends. It is usually family or friends who ask them to bring certain things as gifts, for example, in this case: some Marshmallows from the Andes, a naiboa from the east, some nougat from Caracas, a dulce de leche from the plains. And so we Venezuelans take advantage not only of knowing the cities, their streets and their people, but also their flavors and their sweets. Join me to make this sweet trip:

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San Joaquin panels

These biscuits are really crispy and delicious. The first one I tried came from a trip I had made to the Médanos de Coro. I remember that when we returned to the central area of the country, the bus stopped so we could all buy the famous panela de San Joaquin. These cookies are originally from the San Joaquin Municipality of Carabobo state. The idea of this biscuit was born more than 150 years ago, when two women joined together to sell this delicacy on the railroad tracks and feed their children. They became so famous, that even today tourists look for them because they are really very tasty. This biscuit is made with vanilla, egg, papelon, anise and wheat flour. What they like best is that they are super crispy and it is because after the biscuit is cooked, it is removed from the oven, cut into slices and reintroduced into the oven so that it browns more. The panels are wrapped in a typical white paper and in a plastic bag.

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Polished Sweets

These sweets are typical of the Andean zone of Venezuela: Mérida, Trujillo and Táchira. It is common to see them in popular markets or on the roads that give these states. They are recognized from afar, because they are made of bright and sugary colors. They are usually arranged in trays and wrapped in cellophane paper. For some people these sweets are usually very cloying, so if they are diabetic, it is recommended that they do not consume it because they can be very sweet on the palate. I remember that the first time I ate them they were made of ani and ginger, and they seemed quite strong. Although they are very small sweets, their preparation requires time and dedication, and in some cases, many ingredients.

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Strawberry with cream

While it is true that cream strawberries can be found in all bakeries in the country, the best are in Caripe and La Colonia Tovar. Going to these areas and not eating strawberry with cream is really a sin. Caripe and La Colonia Tovar, the latter an area where many Germans living in the country live, are from the coldest locations and with the best land for cultivation. Its climate and fertile soil are perfect for planting, so we can see the largest, delicious and juicy strawberries in the world. If Adam saw the fruits that are harvested in this area, he will surely fall back into temptation because they are a gift from the gods.

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The Catalinas

These soft-textured cookies have a unique smell and taste. They are generally dark, but there are also "white." They are also known as paledonias and although they are found throughout the country, it is in Zulia and Lara where you can find an unimaginable variety. Once I ate in Sanare, a small town in Lara, some cakes filled with coconut and cheese; I really went to heaven just by trying them. On that trip I bought a lot to give to the family so they could meet and taste the most delicious of Catalinas. This dessert is made from wheat flour, papelon, anise, cinnamon, butter and baking soda.

In recent years, the Venezuelan travels only to emigrate from the country or to buy the necessities in other countries. So it is not strange, that friends and family instead of asking them to bring these delicious sweets, ask them to bring deodorant, sugar, soap, toothpaste, necessities. I remember, the many times we stopped in the popular markets, next to the roads to buy the typical sweets of the area and that the trip became more pleasant. I think that Venezuelans lack a bit of sweetness, maybe hope and miracle in this long journey we are doing.

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