Abará

Description

Abará is a popular Brazilian snack consisting of black-eyed peas or beans that are mashed into a paste, then steamed in a banana leaf. The dish is very similar to another Brazilian snack, acarajé , which is fried instead of being boiled or steamed. Black-eyed peas are a staple of traditional Brazilian cuisine, especially in the Bahia region, the center of Brazil's Afro-Brazilian culture. Abará is closely associated with Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion where it is one of the ritual foods offered to the gods and goddesses (called the Orixás ) during the ceremonial festivities. The dish is typically served at room temperature, and it is best accompanied by a freshly-made hot pepper sauce, served in most restaurants in Bahia, which is considered unusual elsewhere in the country.