Quindim


Quindim is a popular Brazilian baked dessert, made chiefly from sugar, egg yolks and ground coconut. It is a custard and usually presented as an upturned cup with a glistening surface and intensely yellow color. The mixture can also be made in a large ring mold in which case it is called a "quindão" and served in slices.

Etymology

The word quindim comes from dikende in Kikongo, a Bantu language. It means "the gestures, or demeanor, or humor characteristic of adolescent girls."

Origins

The heavy use of egg yolks is characteristic of many Portuguese sweets and pastries, such as the papo de anjo and fios de ovos. Their combination with coconut and sugar was probably created by African slaves in 17th century Brazilian Northeast, where coconuts were abundant and sugar was a major industry.

In popular culture

Quindim is also a rhinoceros character featured in Monteiro Lobato's children's books.