Venezuelan Coastal Recipes

Coastal Venezuelan cuisine celebrates the Caribbean seafood and tropical flavors along the country's northern coast. Fresh fish, shrimp, and octopus are prepared as ceviches, fried whole, or cooked in coconut sauces. Fosforera, a rich shellfish soup said to have restorative powers, is a beloved dish. Empanadas de cazón (shark-filled turnovers), arroz con coco, and fried plantain preparations reflect the Afro-Venezuelan and Caribbean character of coastal cooking.