Definition:

Paçoca de amendoim is a Brazilian candy made of ground peanuts, sugar, and cassava flour. Traditionally, peanuts were ground in a mortar, but now blenders and food processors can be used in the preparation of homemade paçoca.

In northeastern Brazil, paçoca is the name of a salty dish that mixes sun-dried meat, cassava flour and seasonings, ground in a mortar.

One of the most popular brands of industrially processed paçoca in Brazil is Paçoca Amor, which has been around for over 50 years.

Paçoca is a dry sweet and first-timers should try it with a drink at hand. Left as a powder, paçoca is used as a topping for ice cream. Some people also like it sprinkled on goiabada - a very sweet combination.

You don't need to wait till you go to Brazil to enjoy the sweet version of paçoca. Just follow the instructions in this great paçoca de amendoim recipe by Marian Blazes, About.com Guide to South American food.

Pronunciation: pa-SOH-ka