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LOCAL Wednesday 16 July 2025

Dining in? Try making a local favorite

How to make “funchi hasa”

(Oranjestad)—A night in can be ture, this appetizer is traditionally
just as fun as a night out on the eaten alongside a warm meal.
town, especially if you got the right However, locals also like to fry
snacks to munch on. One of the sticks of funchi for a quick and fill-
most famous Aruban snacks or ap- ing snack.
petizers is “funchi hasa” (fried po-
lenta sticks). A super easy meal Ingredients (measured by heart)
that adults and children will both 1. Polenta flour*
enjoy. Here’s how to make it! 2. Water
3. Butter
Before we start, get to know the 4. Salt to taste When your funchi is firm enough,
basics cut it into strips (size is up to you).
So what is funchi hasa? Funchi, or Directions Heat up some oil in a pan and fry
Aruban polenta, is a popular side Bring water to a boil in a medium- those babies up! After frying, you
dish for local dishes, like soups, sized sauce pan. Add in some salt After reaching a semi-firm, yet flex- can top it with some cheese or
stews and fried fish. Made from a and butter to taste in the boiling ible texture, grab a baking pan or enjoy it with your favorite dipping
corn flour, water and butter mix- water and let this dissolve and melt. any large, deep plate, and pour sauce.
Then, gradually add the flour while the mixture in. Be sure that this
stirring with a wooden spoon. The plate is wet or greased so that the Note: We recommend the FUNCHI
mixture will start to begin to harden mixture does not stick to the bot- FRESKU polenta flour brand that is
pretty fast, so be careful not to add tom. Let this cool completely while sold in all supermarkets on the is-
too much. At this phase of cooking, it firms up for the last time. Once land. You can also use yellow corn
you want a goopy thick mixture, it’s cooled you can enjoy it as is,
but thin enough so you can con- topped with some butter or shred- flour from the brand PAN.q
tinue to stir to get all the lumps out. ded cheese. Or, you can take it to Photo credit of fried funchi sticks: Jac-
another level of deliciousness. queline Felida on Pinterest.

Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Costa Linda Beach Resort!

The Aruba Tourism Authority Goodwill Ambassador vorite vacation destination, as
recently had the great plea- (20>years consecutively visit- their home away from home.
sure of recognizing Emerald ing Aruba)
Ambassadors of Aruba. The Emerald Ambassador The top reasons for returning
honorees were respectively (35>years consecutively visit- to Aruba provided by the hon-
honored with a certificate for ing Aruba) orees were:
their years of visits, loyalty, and • Aruba’s safety.
love for the island of Aruba. The honorees were: • Aruba’s good food.
Emerald Ambassadors • Aruba has good shopping
The honorary certification is Mr. John and Mrs. Elaina Pug- places.
presented on behalf of the lisi from Manchester, New Jer- • Aruba’s supermarkets.
Minister of Tourism as a token sey, United States. • Aruba has very nice peo-
of appreciation and to say ple.
“Masha Danki” to guests who Mr. Jorgino Willems represent-
have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 ing the Aruba Tourism Au- On behalf of the Aruba Tour-
years or more consecutively. thority, and staff members of ism Authority, we would like to
Costa Linda Beach Resort be- express our sincere gratitude
The three levels of honor are stowed the certificate upon and appreciation to the hon-
as follows: the honorees, presented them orees for their continued visits
Distinguished Visitor (10>years with gifts, and thanked them to the “One Happy Island”.q
consecutively visiting Aruba) for choosing Aruba as their fa-