New Year Recipes

Explore recipes to welcome the new year.

Main dishes

Venezuelan Hallacas/Ajaka Venezolano

Shared by Antillean Eats

Hallacas is a very popular dish in Venezuela and other parts of South and Central America. Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire are located close to Venezuela, and the islands picked up this traditional dish and made it part of their own tradition. …

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Pekelé — Curaçao-Style Pickled Fish

Shared by Antillean Eats

Pekelé is a tangy Curaçao holiday favorite, traditionally prepared with salted herring, onions and aromatic spices. This refrigerated home version includes a cooked-salmon alternative inspired by salmou di barí. Serve chilled with crusty b…

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Salmou den Zuur — Curaçao Pickled Salmon

Shared by Antillean Eats

A chilled Curaçao-style salmon appetizer with onions, vinegar and aromatic spices. This cooked-fish home adaptation is inspired by salmou di barí. Allow 12–24 additional hours for refrigerated marinating.

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Sùlt — Curaçao Pickled Pig Ears

Shared by Antillean Eats

A Curaçao holiday appetizer of thinly sliced pig ears in spiced vinegar with onions and hot pepper. The ears should be tender with a pleasant cartilage bite. This home version uses fresh ears; salted ears need extra desalting. Allow 12–24 …

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Side dishes

Pan de Jamón — Venezuelan Ham Bread

Shared by Antillean Eats

Soft festive bread rolled with ham, olives and raisins, popular in Venezuela and on Curaçao. Makes one large loaf, about 12 slices. Allow an additional 90–120 minutes for rising and 30 minutes for cooling.

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Ponche Crema — Caribbean Rum Cream

Shared by Antillean Eats

A homemade island-style holiday cream drink with milk, egg yolks, vanilla, nutmeg and rum. This version uses a cooked custard base. Makes about 1 liter, or 12 small servings; allow at least 4 hours to chill.

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Cakes and sweets

Curaçao Black Cake (Bolo Pretu) – Rum Cake

Shared by Antillean Eats

Curaçao Rum Black Cake, known locally as Bolo Pretu, is a rich traditional cake enjoyed on the island, especially during holidays, Christmas, weddings, and other celebrations. It is made with a generous mixture of dried fruits, raisins, nu…

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Pan Bollo — Island-Style Bread Pudding

Shared by Antillean Eats

A dense, moist island-style bread pudding made with day-old bread, milk, raisins, vanilla and warm spices. Family recipes vary across the ABC islands. This version includes optional rum-soaked raisins. Allow 30 minutes for soaking and 30 m…

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Party appetizers

Pickled Pig Ear Strips / Sult

Shared by Chino Jansen

Sult is a traditional Curaçao appetizer made with tender strips of pig ear marinated in a bright, tangy pickle. Often prepared for New Year celebrations, it is served chilled as a distinctive Antillean holiday dish.

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