Typical Food of Puerto Rico

Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Puerto Rico in November 1493. When he arrived to the island he found a 60.000 population who lived peaceful and lived from the fishing and agriculture.

So the Puerto Rican cuisine is a combination of cuisines, like Spanish, African and Taino which formerly inhabited the islands. Its cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of native ingredients and products. The basis of the cuisine comes from the Taino, who grew such as cassava, sweet potato and taro as well as corn. And then Is the Spanish mix with onions, garlic, cilantro, eggplant, chickpeas, coconut drinks like rum. And from Africa they mixed the cooking style and introduced foods like green bananas.

The Fries

The favorite entrees and fried snack are the tostones. There are fried green plantains mashed which is often served with rice. Other popular dishes are the pies, the bacalitos. And there are made with cornmeal and cheese and its served with a pink sauce and potato stuffed with mashed potatoes.

Other commonly dishes are the soup. The national soup of Puerto Rico is known as Asopapo and is made with chicken and rice. This soup can also be prepared with lobster, shrimp and other selfish.

Meat and Fish

The most consumed meat in the island is beef and pork. However, Puerto Rico also has a variety of seafood. Both, meat and seafood are always accompanied by a garnish such as rice and beans or fried beans. One of the most popular side dishes is Mofongo, which consists on fried green plantain mashes with meat or seafood with a delicious garlic and tomato sauce.

Tropical Fruits

For lovers of fruit in Puerto Rico you can taste as delicious coconut and a staple fruits from the island. These fruit includes sweet potato, green papaya, guava and other fruits.

Drinks and Refreshments

To combat the tropical heat of the Caribbean, there are a wide range of refreshing drinks. Puerto Rico is the major producer of rum in the world. With it blends are prepared with tropical fruits juices as guava, pineapple, papaya and tamarind among other. The island beers are smooth and served almost frozen. Younger guest can cool off pineapple juice, coconut milk and garnish with a cherry and slice of pineapple.

Where to eat?

You can find restaurants throughout the island with very different prices. In the city of San Juan you can taste the typical dishes of Costa Rica for a lowest price. And if you are looking for European food, you must go to the oldest part of the town.

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