Page 8 - HOH

a8 local
Saturday 8 March 2025

Dining in? Try making a local favorite
How to make “funchi hasa”

a quick and filling snack.

Ingredients (measured by heart)
1. Polenta flour*
2. Water
3. Butter
4. Salt to taste

Directions
Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized sauce
pan. Add in some salt and butter to taste in
the boiling water and let this dissolve and melt.
Then, gradually add the flour while stirring with
a wooden spoon. The mixture will start to begin
(Oranjestad)—A night in can be just as fun as to harden pretty fast, so be careful not to add
a night out on the town, especially if you got too much. At this phase of cooking, you want
the right snacks to munch on. One of the most a goopy thick mixture, but thin enough so you When your funchi is firm enough, cut it into strips
famous Aruban snacks or appetizers is “funchi can continue to stir to get all the lumps out. (size is up to you). Heat up some oil in a pan and
hasa” (fried polenta sticks). A super easy meal fry those babies up! After frying, you can top it
that adults and children will both enjoy. Here’s After reaching a semi-firm, yet flexible texture, with some cheese or enjoy it with your favorite
how to make it! grab a baking pan or any large, deep plate, dipping sauce.
and pour the mixture in. Be sure that this plate is
Before we start, get to know the basics wet or greased so that the mixture does not stick Note: We recommend the FUNCHI FRESKU po-
So what is funchi hasa? Funchi, or Aruban po- to the bottom. Let this cool completely while it lenta flour brand that is sold in all supermarkets
lenta, is a popular side dish for local dishes, like firms up for the last time. Once it’s cooled you on the island. You can also use yellow corn flour
soups, stews and fried fish. Made from a corn can enjoy it as is, topped with some butter or from the brand PAN.q
flour, water and butter mixture, this appetizer shredded cheese. Or, you can take it to anoth-
is traditionally eaten alongside a warm meal. er level of deliciousness. Photo credit of fried funchi sticks: Jacqueline Felida
However, locals also like to fry sticks of funchi for on Pinterest.

Birds of Aruba

ORANJESTAD — On May 11th, foundation will focus on in- peace. When it is peaceful
2010, the Aruba Birdlife Con- creasing the survival chanc- and quite, beautiful things
servation was founded with es of species of wild birds by start happening in nature.
the aim of protecting the promoting their preservation
biodiversity in general and and conservation. The foun- Canadian in the house
birds in and around Aruba dation publishes the most The breeding season is over
in particular. beautiful pictures of local and it’s getting pretty cold
birds on their social media in North America. Shore
Among other things, the that show us the beauty of birds have started moving
Aruba’s birds and nature in southwards as early as July.
general. Aruba Today gives This wetland beauty wants
you a little peek with the fol- to keep its toes warm. Our In its living form of so much English: Blue-tailed Emerald
lowing pictures and descrip- Canadian friends know ex- more value than any gem- (male) Dutch: Blauwstaarts-
tions from the foundations actly where they can do so stone. Aruba’s smallest and maragdkolibrie (mannetje).
Facebook page. best. A Greater Yellowlegs most master of flight. A top Aruba’s to enjoy. Aruba’s to
rediscovering Aruba’s Bubali pollinator. A hovering Blenchi protect. q
The Great Egret Wetlands. inspecting the human who
Serenity in Aruba’s National just entered his territory. Pictures: Aruba Birdlife Con-
Park, a Great Egret flying in Cabochon servation.