Puerto Rican's Food

Puerto Rican's Food

Puerto Rican cooking is somewhat similar to both Cuban and Mexican cuisine. It is a distinctive tasty blend of Spanish, African, Taíno, and American influences, using such native seasonings and ingredients

 

Appetizers

 

Empanadilla Pastry

Empanadilla pasrty is very much popular. It is easy to make and most likely found in bakery.

 

 

 

Alcapurrias

 Say the word "alcapurrias," and most Puerto Ricans think "beach food." These scrumptious fritters are usually made with a batter of taro  and green bananas, and are stuffed with either a meat filling or with crab, shrimp or lobster.

 

 

Soups

Some of the popular soups to eat are frijoles negroes (black bean soup),sopon de pollo con arroz (chicken soup with rice), and sopon de pescado (fish soup), and Sancocho.

 

Sancocho

 This stew goes back at least 400 hundred years to when the Spaniards brought African slaves over to the island.  The slaves would make a huge pot and let it stew all day and have a hearty meal ready after a long day of labor.  The tradition continued on to the poor farmers, which were call “Jibaros” and it is still here today. The name of this dish, Sancocho, literally means stew. In Puerto Rico when a person has spent all day under the hot sun, it is said that they are “sancochao”, which means stewing in the blistering heat. This is one of the most famous soup dishes in Puerto Rico culture.

 

Puerto Rican Chicken Soup

The national Puerto Rican soup is a mixture of chicken, rice, and seasonings that nourishes the body and soul. During the Christmas season, when groups of family and friends get together at the asaltos (singing Christmas carols from house to house), the best way to end the evening is with a big pot of steaming asopao (soup). Not only is it great party food, but it tastes better when reheated the next day.

 

Arroz Con Gandules

Arroz con gandules is a famous dish known to be cooked by Puerto Ricans. It is also a traditional rice dish. It is cooked on hoildays, birthdays, parties, and special events. It is guaranteed that you will see this where there is a Puerto Rican event going on.

 With sachicha added

 

Arroz con Gandules y Sachicha

 

 

Plain Arroz con Gandules 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puerto Rico Beverages

Puerto Rico Drinks

Usually when a Puerto Rican is done eating breakfast, lunch or dinner, they are not done until they have had their coffee. It has been produced in the island's high-altitude interior for more than 300 years. Originally imported from the nearby Dominican Republic, coffee is still among the island's exports and is a suitable ending for any well-presented meal.

 

 

Cafe Rico, Rico Coffee, Puerto Rican Coffee, Cafe de Puerto Rico

Coffee Rico from Puerto Rico was founded in the early 1900’s and although much time has passed the mission for Café Rico been the same. Cafe Rico is one of the Best Coffees of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico’s Alcoholic Beverage

Rum is the nationwide drink, and you can purchase it in almost any shade. Puerto Rico is the world's leading rum creator; 80% of the rum consumed in the United States hails from the island. Christopher Columbus brought sugarcane, from which rum is distilled, to the Caribbean on his second voyage to the New World, and in virtually no time it became the regional drink.

France has its wine. Germany has its beer. And Puerto Rico has its rum. Not lightly do they call this small island the rum capital of the world. Over 70 percent of the rum sold in the U.S. comes from Puerto Rico; it's the island's chief export.

Different Type of Rum

·         Light Rum (or Silver/White Rum) - A preferred rum for cocktails and mixed drinks, light and white rums have a more subtle flavor. The most ubiquitous example of light rum can be found in the supremely popular mojito, a Cuban drink which has become a local favorite in Puerto Rico.

·         Gold or Amber Rum - That familiar golden brown hue, rich taste and full body make this the natural choice for your standard rum and coke. Aged in wooden barrels, they have a stronger flavor than light rums.

·         Spiced Rum - Usually a gold variety, this grade of rum gets its name and flavor from the added spices and, occasionally, caramel.

·         Dark Rum - Aged longer in heavily charred barrels, dark rum has a much stronger flavor, hints of spices, and a strong molasses or caramel overtone.

 

Famous Rum

·         Bacardi, the world's most popular rum, has a massive distillery located across the bay from Old San Juan. It's a popular and free tourist attraction.

Barcardi

 

 

  ·         Don Q is favored by many locals as the best rum in Puerto Rico.

 

 

 ·         Palo Viejo is another variety hard to find outside the island and a favorite for classic drinks like coquito, the Puerto Rican egg nog.

    Coquito is a traditional punch served at Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. The drink is similar to eggnog with rum.

 

·         Ron Llave is a traditional, mellow rum available in light or dark grades.

·         And finally there’s ron caña, which isn’t actually rum, but a similar liquor made from sugarcane; it’s the local equivalent of moonshine.

 

The Puerto Rican Parade in New York

Puerto Rico Parade In N.Y

The Puerto Rican Day Parade takes place annually along Fifth Avenue in New York City. It’s held on the second Sunday in June. It is in honor of the nearly 4 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and all people of Puerto Rican birth or heritage residing in the mainland U.S. The first Puerto Rican Day Parade was held on Sunday, April 13, 1958, in Manhattan. In 1995, the parade became incorporated as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade and expanded beyond the parade itself.

In recent years, the parade has honored several Puerto Rican celebrities by naming them "International Grand Marshal" of the parade including singer Marc Anthony, who participated in the parade along with his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez. Also Ricky Martin was in the parade in 2010. These celebrities are name with the title such as “King”, "National Ambassador of La Salsa", and "National Godmother.”
 

Ricky Martin in 2010

 

Entrance of Marc Anthony & Jennifer Lopez at the Puerto Rico Parade in  New York.

 

Marc Anthony & Jennifer Lopez in 2007 Puerto Rico.

 

So  many people come out to the Puerto Rico Parade. When these people come out to this event they expect to hear music and dance, see performance, see famous people, eat and have a good time. All type of Puerto Rico food is served. Famous pastry, appetizers, and dish are below.

 

Food Sold at the Puerto Rico Parade

 

Empanadas

 

 

                               
                                                             

Platanos