Cracked Wheat

The immigrants who left the Middle East to settle in Brazil brought with them many culinary delights, such as kibbeh, a combination of cracked wheat, ground beef and spices. The fried version of this dish – there is also the raw kibbeh – became a snack served in thousands of lanchonetes and botecos all over the country. After being soaked in water or broth until soft, the coarse meal can be used in salads or combined with other vegetables. The Italian pie Pastiera di grano appears on some dessert menus: it is stuffed with ricotta cheese, cracked wheat and candied fruit.