Hungry? Eat a knee!
If you ever find yourself feeling a little peckish in Rio, there is a whole range of delicious lanches (snacks) to choose from – ultra cheesy pão de queijo, juicy chickeny coxinha, salty crispy bolinhos de bacalhau to name a few of my favourites (ooh, how could I forget bolinhos de aipim?).
But one I haven’t mentioned until now is the joelho (sounds like ZHWELL-yo). Now then, if you go to Google Translate you’ll find that joelho is the Portuguese word for knee. Strange name for a snack you might think. But take a look:
Cheese and ham with savoury pastry folded around the outside. They do look a bit ‘knee-ish’ don’t they?
I don’t want to sound negative here, but there’s a reason I haven’t mentioned these fellows before. It’s because I’ve never had a good one. That’s not to say they’re bad exactly. It’s just that they’re heavy, doughy and rather boring. They’ll stop you feeling hungry for sure, but I’ve always been left feeling rather disappointed. If any of my Rio readers can recommend a good one I’d love to give it a try.
Now that I am more than half way through my trip back to England, I am finding that the ‘grass-is-always-greener’ phenomenon has started to reverse. My initial grouchiness with regard to the ambient temperature and anti-social commuters has given way to a realisation that in just 3 weeks I’ll be far away from the delicious ales, cheeses and hams of ‘home’.
And whilst this next item is hardly a traditional culinary highlight, part of me is going to miss the UK version of the joelho:
Meet the ham, cheese and tomato ‘croissant’ from Pret a Manger. It’s like a joelho, except that it’s delicious (in a guilty-pleasure, unsophisticated way). The smoked salmon sandwich on the side is optional and only recommended for real gluttons.
Of course, it’s not really a croissant at all is it? In fact it looks rather like what the Brazilians call folhada. But whatever you call it, one of these, washed down with a can of ginger beer, will fix up any hangover (and with all the reunions I’ve had recently, I should know…).
That’s because knees are no good in Rio, what you should do is try an ITALIANO in niterói. it’s the same thing, only much much better. you can find the best ones in Ponto Jovem (bestest) and Mattinata. I recomend them WITH onions
Hello gafgdfgdfgad (is that Mr gafgdfgdfgad? ;) ) – thanks for the tip! I’ve only been over to Niterói once so I’m due another visit. Now I know what to have for lunch! I will report back with a review.
I hear they make really good “Italianos” at that Ford Road place, just saying, just saying . . .
Ha ha, thanks for the reminder Gritty. If I can find some other brave souls to accompany me I’ll give it a go. As you suggested, it could potentially make a great post. And I’ll video it so that investigators can learn more about my final moments… ;)
Humn, I see you intend on doing this one Blair Witch Project style, melikes your approach.
Dude, I must admit: I am damn curious about that place.
Sure wish I were there, I’d definitely join the expedition crew, and I have a really fancy flashlight so to class up the expedition (sidenote: notice the correct terminology being used in “flashlight”) :-)
Oh I *always* notice when people use “flashlight”, it’s like fingernails down a blackboard… ;)
Humn, sounds like you are suggesting that those who say flashlight should be torched.
Tom, how do you feel about Cornish Pasties? I have heartily adopted many British foods but the pasty isn’t one of them. Maybe I just haven’t had a good one but the ones I tried felt like the poor man’s version of an Argentinean empanada. Hey there’s an idea to settle this silly Falklands debacle: have a baking competition. The country with the tastiest snack keeps the islands. :)
Hi Andrew,
I remember saying the same thing (but the other way round) when I was in Argentina – “these empanadas look like mini Cornish Pasties!”.
As with a lot of things, it really depends where you get them – the pasties you get from those chain outlets at train stations are pretty crappy. If that’s what you’ve been having then I’m not surprised you haven’t liked them. Real Cornish pasties (from somewhere decent in Cornwall) are great. Then you have to follow it up with a creamy Cornish ice-cream with a big dollop of clotted cream on top – delish! :)
In a baking competition we have a chance. If it were down to a beef steak competition I think I’d have to start calling them Las Malvinas ;)
Cornwall has been on our list of places to visit for years now. We’ll get there eventually (not having a car hasn’t helped so far) so I’ll be sure to give the pasty a go. As for the cornish ice cream, I’m already a fan. :)
Ah, I love Cornwall! Somerset and Devon are also really worth a visit. But for me, Cornwall is unique. Without wanting to sound all mystical about it, there is just something a little strange/magical about that part of the world. Many artists live in Cornwall (including an aunt and uncle of mine) because they say there is something special about the Cornish light. But the food, beaches, countryside and people also play their part.
If you go, just be careful of the cider – it can be lethal! :D