23 Iconic Breads Around the World

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Arepas - Venezuela & Colombia

Found throughout many Central and South American countries, arepas are especially popular in Venezuelan and Colombian cuisines. Characteristically round and flat, they're made from cornmeal and are served as a side to meals or split in two and stuffed with all kinds of salty ingredients like cheese, shredded or sliced meats, beans, eggs, shrimp, avocado, etc. Other ingredients in the dough usually include water and salt, sometimes with the addition of butter, eggs, oil or milk.

Venezuelan arepas come deep-fried or grilled and are often served sandwich-style, while Colombians along the Caribbean coast especially like their arepas deep-fried with an egg or cheese inside. In both countries, they come in varied sizes and different types of cornmeal.