Quesillo is a term used for various foods in Latin America, including a dessert similar to flan and a type of cheese. They all share a light and airy texture, and are important in Latin American cuisine. Queso fresco is the closest thing to quesillo outside of Latin America.
The word quesillo refers to a variety of foods common to various areas of Latin America. Some of these are dessert foods. Others are specific types of cheese that are familiar to shoppers in parts of South and Central America and Mexico.
In some areas of Latin America, such as Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, the quesillo is a type of dessert item similar to what is commonly called a flan. This sweet custard has a light texture and is often accompanied by a type of sweet syrup. In some cases, versions of this dish are exposed to high heat to caramelize the top layer. This dish is also called by different names in various regions, where some versions are called quemada or burnt.
In other countries, such as Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, the word is used for a type of cheese. The Mexican variety is often presented in small white balls or flat pieces. Some other varieties of this type of food are known as string cheeses.
What all these dishes have in common is a key dairy ingredient that is manipulated to provide a light and airy texture. Some of the cheeses known as quesillo may be a little denser and have a sort of cream cheese texture, but others will be lighter and more airy cheeses. Desert items are commonly lighter custard-type textures.
A common reference for quesillo is a soft, slightly sweet, unripened cheese widely sold in Mexico and surrounding areas. A similar type of cheese is sold further north, called queso fresco. Experts point out, however, that U.S. producers generally don’t produce anything like quesillo, which is extremely perishable. Queso fresco, an often thicker and less perishable variety, is often the closest thing to quesillo shoppers can find outside of Latin America.
Known foods such as quesillo and other types of desserts and cheeses, well represent the various food cultures of Latin America. These could be submitted as part of a regional cuisine survey at any location where this type of food is enjoyed. As many Latin American food types move beyond their original regions, people around the world are learning more about these food types. It is important to keep different types of quesillo, as, as mentioned, this word has a different context in many different Spanish-speaking cultures.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
