Buñuelos

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Buñuelitos (little buñuelos) from Colombia
Buñuelitos (little buñuelos) from Colombia

Buñuelos (alternatively spelled bimuelos, birmuelos, bermuelos, burmuelos, bunyols) are fritters of a mainly Spanish origin. They are a popular snack in many Latin American countries, and in some of them they are traditionally eaten at Christmas. They typically consist of a simple, wheat-based yeast dough, often flavored with anise, that is thinly rolled, cut or shaped into individual pieces, then fried and finished off with a sweet topping. There are different types of buñuelos. Some are made with cheese or with yam or other starchy vegetables, others have different fillings.

  • In Colombia they are not sweet and are made with a small curd white cheese and formed into doughy balls then fried golden brown. It is a traditional Christmas dish, served along with natilla.
  • In Nicaragua buñuelos are made of yucca. The buñuelos are rolled into balls and deep fried and served with miel. They are eaten year-round, and are a typical side-dish or snack served during holidays.

There are references to buñelos in Mallorca; there also buñuelos in Turkey, India, and Cuba; buñuelos in Russia. Jews in Turkey make buñuelos with matzo meal and eat them during Passover. They are also popular during Hanukkah.

In The Netherlands there is a similar dish called oliebollen (which simply translates into balls of oil, referring to the fact that they are prepared by deep frying), traditionally served during new years eve. The dough is sweetened with vanilla extract and can contain raisins or currants. The finished product is filled with cream to form Berliner Bollen.


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