$10 There are 17 kinds of arepas at Carolicious and five bowls, which feature the fillings of its various pabellon arepas with black beans, plantains and pico de gallo but not the eatery’s thick corn tortillas. There’s only one appetizer: tequeños. “We Venezuelans use tequeños as appetizers for parties, and when we’re drinking or celebrating,” Carolicious’ Vivi Martinez said. You get five of these breadsticks with a center of queso blanco, a semifirm white cheese, served hot from the air fryer like hearty pigs-in-a-blanket. (Exceptionally hearty: Each is nearly the size of a Twinkie.) The instinct will be to have the satisfaction of this treat immediately, but the dense dough and cheese combination comes through better when cooled a bit. Either way, don’t skimp on the side sauce – Carolicious’ signature version of a guasacaca Venezolana. Traditionally, the green sauce is based on cilantro or avocado. Here it’s an addictive basil, mayonnaise and salt.
Carolicious, three locations in Cambridge and Somerville
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