| Costa Rica food is the result of a medley of various | | | | Frito- is a stew made from pork |
| types of spices, sauces, oils and other ingredients | | | | Mondongo- a beef stomach soup |
| used in different cuisines from the various corners of | | | | Barbudos- an omelet made from string beans |
| the world. In the recipes of Costa Rica you will find | | | | Soups are also an integral part in the Costa Rican |
| the traces of the traditional cuisines of countries like | | | | diet. The most commonly prepared soups of Costa |
| Spain, France, China, Italy and Africa. | | | | Rica are the Bacalao that is the cod soup, the Bean |
| Spices like annatto, oregano, nutmeg, pepper, | | | | Soup, the Mondongo or the beef stomach soup, the |
| coriander, saffron, thyme, sauces like Worcestershire, | | | | Olla de Carne that is the Costa Rican beef soup, the |
| soy, and Lizano, oils like vegetable oil and olive oil and | | | | Sopa de Albondigas or the soup that is made of |
| ingredients like corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, beans, | | | | meat balls, the Sopas de Leche or the Tortilla soup |
| are all used in Costa Rica food. Rice is a very | | | | and the Sopa de Pescado that is the fish soup. |
| important part of Costa Rican diet and so are beans. | | | | Besides the main dishes and soups there are also a |
| Apart from a huge variety of veggies, Costa Rica | | | | number of sweet dishes and candies that are |
| definatelly has good meats. Excellent beef from the | | | | fascinating.Here are some of the wonderful desserts |
| local cows, abudance of really good local chicken and | | | | of Costa Rica: |
| of cource fresh, high quality seafood. | | | | The Cono Capuchino is an ice-cream cone with |
| Let's see what the Costa Ricans are eating, bite by | | | | chocolate topping, flan is cold caramel custard, dulce |
| bite. | | | | de leche is a syrup made from boiled milk and sugar. |
| Appetizers are known as bocas in the land of Costa | | | | The thicker variety is known as the Cajeta and this |
| Rica. These are served usually with drinks. These are | | | | is fudgelike and absolutely delicious. |
| often distributed free of cost. Even if they are priced | | | | Then there are the Mazamorra, which is a corn |
| it is kept at a bare minimum. | | | | starch pudding, milanes are chocolate candies. |
| There are some very popular varieties of bocas | | | | The Pan de Maiz is a type of sweet bread made |
| available. Some of them are: | | | | from corn and the queque seco is a pound cake. |
| Tamales- these are cornmeal patties with a stuffing | | | | The Melcocha is a candy that is made from raw |
| and it is wrapped and then steamed inside banana | | | | sugar and there is also the torta chilena, which is a |
| leaves. | | | | multilayered cake full of dulce de leche. |
| Gallos - tortillas are very common in Costa Rica. Gallos | | | | Costa Rica drinks do more than just quenching ones |
| are the tortillas heaped with meat, chicken, beans | | | | thirst. |
| and lots of cheese. | | | | The most favorite costa rican drink is of course |
| Ceviche- this is a salad that acts as an appetizer. It is | | | | Coffee. High quality, nativelly cultivated and strong, on |
| made from marinated seafood. | | | | asking for milk coffee or 'cafe con leche' you will be |
| Patacones- these are fried green plantains that come | | | | offered coffee that is a strong blend of coffee and |
| in the form of chips. | | | | milk mixed in equal proportions. When you wish to |
| Fried yucca- very popular, close to our french fries. | | | | have black coffee you need to ask for 'cafe sin |
| Tacos- filled in with lots of ingredients, chicken, | | | | leche'. |
| guacamole and sauces. | | | | A very popular traditional drink of Costa Rica is Agua |
| Empanadas- breaded goods and pies. | | | | Dulce. This drink is made from sugarcane that is not |
| The salads are as interesting as the appetizers. The | | | | strained or bleached. |
| common varieties of Costa Rican salads are made | | | | The native fruits like mango, tamarindo, papaya, etc., |
| from tomato bits, onion rings, shredded cabbage, | | | | are used to make fresh Fruit Juices. You can have |
| diced red or green peppers, a little cilantro with the | | | | these juices with milk or water. |
| seasoning done with lime juice and a little sprinkling of | | | | Costa Rica makes good quality Gin and Vodka, |
| salt. | | | | moderate quality Rum and poor quality Whiskey. The |
| The Main Dishes are not only tasty and filling but also | | | | mixture of coke and rum goes down very well with |
| healthy. The spices are additives enrich the food yet | | | | the locals in Costa Rica. |
| keep it healthy.Some of the popular main dishes are: | | | | You can also try the native costa rican Beer, very |
| Gallo Pinto- made from beans mixed with rice | | | | popular among the natives, Imperial. |
| flavored with coriander, onions and some | | | | Home style cooking dominates the scene in Costa |
| Worcestershire sauce. | | | | Rica with most people preferring simple dishes. |
| Casados- is another dish that is a part of the daily | | | | However, the meals are wholesome, nutritious and |
| diet of the Costa Ricans. This is a main course meal | | | | priced reasonably, especially beef and seafood. |
| prepared from beans, rice, pork or chicken with | | | | People of Costa Rica love eating and so will you, if |
| some lettuce, cabbage, tomato salad and some dried | | | | you try their wonderful, exotic cuisine. |
| plantains. | | | | |