Tacacá, a classic Brazilian dish from the Amazon

Tacacá is a classic Brazilian dish from the Amazon, more specifically from the state of Pará, with indigenous origins. It is a hot soup served in a kind of gourd, called cuia, and is composed of:

Broth:

·         Tucupi: a yellow liquid extracted from bitter cassava (manioc), with a sour and slightly spicy flavor.

·         Tapioca gum: in coarse flakes, which give texture to the broth.

Additional ingredients:

·         Dried shrimp: usually one or two salty dried shrimps, which add flavor to the broth.

·         Jambu: a plant with leaves that cause a numbing effect in the mouth, creating a unique sensation.

·         Chopped hot pepper: for those who like a spicier flavor.

Tacacá is a unique and refreshing gastronomic experience, greatly appreciated by the people of Pará and increasingly popular in other regions of Brazil.

How to prepare Tacacá:

Ingredients:

Tucupi: 1 liter

Tapioca gum: 1/2 cup

Dried shrimp: 100g

Jambu: 1 bunch

Chopped hot pepper: 2 units

Garlic: 2 cloves

Salt: to taste

Preparation:

Tucupi:

In a saucepan, place the tucupi, crushed garlic, chopped hot pepper, and salt.

Bring to low heat and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

If desired, you can strain the tucupi to remove the cassava (manioc) fibers.

Tapioca gum:

In a bowl, mix the tapioca gum with a little cold water until it forms a homogeneous paste.

Bring to medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and a porridge forms.

Shrimp:

Soak the shrimp in cold water for about 30 minutes to desalt.

Drain the shrimp and cook in boiling water for about 5 minutes.

Drain the shrimp again and set aside.

Jambu:

Rinse the jambu under running water.

Cook the jambu in boiling water for about 2 minutes.

Drain the jambu and finely chop it.

Assembly:

In a gourd, place the hot tucupi.

Add the tapioca gum and mix well.

Add the shrimp, jambu, and chopped hot pepper.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Photo: www.freepik.com

Tips:

You can adjust the amount of hot pepper according to your taste.

If you can't find fresh jambu, you can use frozen jambu.

Tacacá can be served as an appetizer or as an entrée.

Where to find:

In Pará: in Belém, you can find Tacacá in various places such as markets, fairs, and restaurants.

In other regions: Tacacá is becoming increasingly popular all over Brazil, and you can find it in some restaurants specializing in regional (Amazon/Northern) cuisine.

Learn More:

Youtube Saveur Magazine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOrgSf570e8