It\u2019s the season for Latino kitchens to come alive with the tantalizing aromas of cherished recipes. It’s a time when culinary traditions are lovingly passed down and feasts bring warmth to the heart and soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, while discussions often revolve around secret recipes and the quest for authentic ingredients, there’s an unsung hero behind these delectable creations: the cookware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These humble yet invaluable tools are the backbone of Latino holiday cooking, enabling the creation of our staple dishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This season, let’s embark on a journey to uncover three timeless utensils \u2013 the budare, the comal, and the skillet \u2013 that hold a special place in the hearts of Latino chefs and home cooks alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Budare: A Beloved Arepa Artisan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The budare is a fundamental kitchen tool in many Latino households, particularly in countries like Venezuela and Colombia. \u201cA budare is a metal griddle, round and flat and nearly without edges. The only handle is a little metal loop on one side,\u201d the FlavorsOfBogota blog explains. \u201cIn Venezuela and Colombia, the household budare is the highly revered arepa maker. In the land of arepas<\/a>, where in some areas no meal is served without the little round corn patty, the budare is ever-present.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This round, flat griddle resembles a cast-iron skillet and is typically made of heavy iron or aluminum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJos\u00e9 De Acosta, a Jesuit explorer and naturalist of the 16th century, wrote that the budare was like a sacrificial stone for the rite of the first bread,\u201d Venezuelan writer Alejandro Puyana explains in an NPR article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n