Brazilian Eats

Let's talk about food!  It's always on my mind and Brazil has plenty of delicious kinds.  A country that is defined by cultural diffusion, Brazil maintains consistency in its reputation through its cuisine.  The food reflects the nation's heritage of Native American, Portuguese, African, Spanish, German, Japanese (and many more) roots.  The regions of Brazil have distinct food types and are divided between the North, South, Northeast, and Southeast.


The North:
     Food here reflects the traditions of the native people of this region.  Manoic (a root vegetable), peanuts, fish, tropical fruits, and red meat are prevalent in dishes made here.  Vatapá is a popular and spicy dish found in the North that is a mix of bread, shrimp, red pepper, ginger, peanuts, coconut milk, palm oil and onions.

Vatapá

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vatap%C3%A1.jpg)

The South:

     People in this region stem from central and southern Europe and the food is reminiscent of their ancestral land's.  Wine and leafy vegetables are staples in Southern Brazilian cuisine.  A popular dish is called arroz carreteiro, which is a mix of meat, rice, tomato, onions and spices.

Arroz Carreteiro

(http://www.belezafeminina.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_0038_1.jpg)

The Northeast:

     Dishes in the Northeast of Brazil reflect the influence of the native people's, African, and Portuguese food.  Moqueca, a favorite here, is a seafood stew that is comprised of fish, garlic and onions, olive oil, cilantro, tomato, and peppers.

Moqueca

(http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moqueca_-_brazilian_fish_stew/)

The Southeast:

     Southeast Brazilian cuisine is well known due to the fact that the nation's largest metropolitan areas exist in this region.  The home of national dish, "Feijoada," the Southeast is definitive in grasping true Brazilian food.  Feijoada is a stew consisting of black turtle beans, cuts of pork and beef, and served over rice and collard greens.

Feijoada

(http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/feijoada_brazilian_black_bean_stew/)

Sources:

Celebrate Brazil - http://www.celebratebrazil.com/brazil-food.html

Food Spring - http://foodspring.com/content/brazil/