Caraotas negras, whether or not to accompany pabellón criollo, are a typical Venezuelan black bean dish, sometimes referred to as “Venezuelan beans” or “criollo caviar”.
What are caraotas negras?
It is a variety of bean that is very popular in various South American countries, particularly in Mexico, but also in Brazil and used in the national dish, feijoada, although it can also be widely found in Cajun cuisines and Creole from southern Louisiana.
In Venezuela, caraotas negras are known as black beans, but depending on the region, different indigenous peoples in America have given this legume different names.
The Aztecs called it etl, the Mayans called it buul or quinsonch’ and the Incas called it purutu.
The Cumanagotos, Native Americans who mostly lived in Northeastern Venezuela, knew it as caraotas or chibchas while those in Colombia called it histe. Cumanagotos living in the Caribbean called them cuna.
They are often also called frijoles negros (black beans) zaragoza, judía negra, poroto negro, caraota or habichuela negra in Spanish and feijão preto in Portuguese.
They are also used in Indian cuisine, Tamil cuisine, where it is known as karuppu kaaramani, and in Maharashtrian cuisine, where it is known as kala ghevada.
All over the world, it is also given other names. They are sometimes called “turtle beans” or “Venezuelan beans”.
This little black bean has a dense, meaty texture and a mushroom-like taste, which makes it often popular in many vegetarian dishes such as frijoles negros and the Mexican and Tex-Mex black bean burrito.
Guatemala is the only country in Central America that consumes more black beans than any other type. It is considered a typical daily food item and is consumed in all its presentations: baked, fried, even in smoothies.
Caraotas negras in Venezuela
Caraotas negras are those famous black beans from Venezuelan lands that have been part of the Venezuelan daily diet for generations. They have always been present on Venezuelan tables of rich and poor alike, for breakfast or lunch and are part of Venezuela’s most emblematic dish, pabellón criollo. They are often called “criollo caviar”.
A soup, sopa de caraotas negras is also prepared. It is a representative dish of Caracas, served as a starter or main course for lunch or dinner.
Likewise, with grated hard cottage cheese, caraotas negras form a combination called dominos which is typically eaten with arepas and / or empanadas.
Where do black beans come from?
The history of beans is the history of man and of the greatest civilizations in the world. From Sumerians and Romans until the Mayans and Aztecs, there were no people who did not consume beans.
They have become the symbol of peasant nutrition thanks to their high nutritional and satiating power, and their versatility which make them, even today, the protagonists of very different and successful combinations.
Black beans have a history spanning over 7,000 years and have long been a high protein staple of many Latin American cultures.
Black beans (phaseolus vulgaris), are said to have two birth places: one in Mesoamerica and the other in Andean America and date back at least 7,000 years, when they were a staple diet in Central and South America.
Gradually, the culture spread across America as the Indians migrated, so that Spanish explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries later found this plant throughout Latin America, and English settlers found it on the American east coast in the 17th century.
Health Benefits and Properties of Black Beans
Black beans are a healthy addition to most diets. They are especially good for vegans and vegetarians because they are incredibly high in protein. There are also some vegan cake recipes that use black beans instead of eggs.
A black bean brownie, for example, is a good healthy alternative. These beans are also high in fiber, which aids digestion. The fiber in these beans also helps lower cholesterol and improve overall heart health.
Beans are complex carbohydrates and proteins, which means that it takes longer for the body to digest them than simple carbohydrates. It helps one to feel fuller for longer, which is helpful for anyone on a diet. They are also full of vitamins, such as B6, which is said to help improve mood.
Caraotas Negras
Ingredients
- 1 lb black beans
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 1 small onion , halved
- 6 green peppers , de-seeded and halved lengthwise
- 2 green chillies , de-seeded and halved lengthwise
- 8 cloves garlic , chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 sprigs cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Place the black beans into a very large amount of lukewarm water and add the baking soda. Mix well, then cover the container, and soak for 24 hours at room temperature.
- Make sure the water covers the beans at least 4 inches (10cm) above as they will increase in volume during soaking.
- After 24 hours of soaking, drain the beans, and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Place the beans into a large pot, and cover generously with water.
- Cover with a lid, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 1½ hours, or until completely softened. Skim off any scum that forms during cooking.
- Halfway through cooking, add the green peppers, chillies, halved onion, and the whole cilantro sprigs. Increase the heat to medium-high.
- 5 minutes before the beans are finished cooking, when they are very tender, remove the green peppers, cilantro and onion and chop very finely, or blend them.
- In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat, brown the raw chopped onion, then add the garlic and the cooked peppers, onion, chillies, and cilantro.
- Add the sugar and stir constantly for 10 minutes.
- When the sauce is cooked through, pour it into the pot with the beans and stir well to incorporate the flavors.
- Add the bay leaf, season with salt, toss, cover, and cook again for 15 minutes over medium / low heat.
- If desired, increase the temperature to reduce the liquid.
Video
Sources
Wikipedia (EN)- Black Turtle Bean
Qooq
Wikipedia (ES) – Frijol Negro
Wikipedia (PT) – Feijão preto
Wikipedia (ES) – Pabellón Criollo
Mike is “the devil” of the 196 flavors’ duo. Nicknamed as such by his friends, he is constantly in search of unusual recipes and techniques with impossible to find ingredients. The devil is always pushing the envelope, whether it is with humor or culinary surprises.
Chloe says
Beans help one to feel fuller for longer. This dish is perfect for the person on diet.
Audrey Vasquez says
So where is the red colour coming from. In the picture?