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{{Short description|Mixture of indigenous Amerindian cuisine, Spanish cuisine, and Creole cuisine}}
[[File:VIGORON.JPG|thumb|[[Vigorón]], a traditional Nicaraguan dish]]
[[File:VIGORON.JPG|thumb|[[Vigorón]], a traditional Nicaraguan dish]]
{{Life in Nicaragua}}
{{Life in Nicaragua}}


'''Nicaraguan cuisine''' includes a mixture of [[Mesoamerican]], [[Chibcha]], [[Spanish cuisine|Spanish]], [[Caribbean cuisine|Caribbean]], and [[African cuisine]]. Despite the blending and incorporation of [[pre-Columbian]], Spanish and African influences, traditional cuisine differs from the western half of Nicaragua to the eastern half. Western Nicaraguan cuisine revolves around the Mesoamerican diet of the [[Oto-Manguean|Chorotega]] and [[Nicarao people|Nicarao]] people such as [[maize]], [[tomatoes]], [[avocados]], [[turkey meat|turkey]], [[squash (plant)|squash]], [[phaseolus|beans]], [[chili pepper|chili]], and [[cocoa bean|chocolate]], in addition to [[potatoes]] which were cultivated by the Chibcha people originating from South America and introduced meats like [[pork]] and [[chicken as food|chicken]].<ref>Fowler, 1989</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://antharky.ucalgary.ca/caadb/sites/antharky.ucalgary.ca.caadb/files/Steinbrenner_2006_Cacao_in_Greater_Nicoya_Ethnohistory_and_a_Unique_Tradition.pdf|title= Chocolate in Mesoamerica A Cultural History of Cacao}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://antharky.ucalgary.ca/mccafferty/sites/antharky.ucalgary.ca.mccafferty/files/Coe_1962.pdf|title= Costa Rican Archaeology and Mesoamerica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2569524|title= The Distribution of Cacao Cultivation in Pre-Columbian America|jstor= 2569524|last1= Bergmann|first1= John F.|journal= Annals of the Association of American Geographers|date= 1969|volume= 59|issue= 1|pages= 85–96|doi= 10.1111/j.1467-8306.1969.tb00659.x}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nicatourism.com/2022/11/bringing-home-flavors-of-nicaragua.html?amp=1|title= Bringing Home the Flavors of Nicaragua: A Provisional Guide to Great Nicaraguan Cuisine}}</ref> Eastern Nicaraguan cuisine consists mostly of [[seafood]] and [[coconut]].
'''Nicaraguan cuisine''' includes a mixture of [[indigenous peoples|indigenous Native American]] [[cuisine]], [[Spanish cuisine]], and [[Creole cuisine]]. Despite the blending and incorporation of [[pre-Columbian]] and Spanish-influenced cuisine, traditional cuisine differs on the Pacific coast from the Caribbean coast. While the Pacific coast's main staple revolves around beef, poultry, local fruits, and corn, the Caribbean coast's cuisine makes use of [[seafood]] and [[coconut]].


==Cuisine==
==Cuisine==
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[[File:YellowCorn.jpg|thumb|left|[[Corn]] is a [[staple food]] in Nicaragua]]
[[File:YellowCorn.jpg|thumb|left|[[Corn]] is a [[staple food]] in Nicaragua]]


As in many other [[Latin American]] countries, [[corn]] is a staple. It is used in many of the widely consumed dishes, such as [[nacatamal]], and [[indio viejo]]. Corn is not only used in food; it is also an ingredient for drinks such as [[pinolillo]] and [[chicha]] as well as in sweets and desserts. Other staples are rice and beans. Rice is eaten when corn is not, and beans are consumed as a cheap protein by the majority of Nicaraguans. It is common for rice and beans to be eaten as a breakfast dish. There are many meals including these two staples; one popular dish, [[gallo pinto]], is often served as lunch, sometimes with [[Egg as food|eggs]]. Nicaraguans do not limit their diet solely to corn, rice, and beans. Many Nicaraguans have small gardens of their own full of vegetables. From time to time, flowers are incorporated into their meals.
As in many other [[Latin American]] countries, [[corn]] is a staple. It is used in many widely consumed dishes such as [[nacatamal]] and [[indio viejo]]. Corn is not only used in food; it is also an ingredient for drinks such as [[pinolillo]] and [[chicha]] as well as in sweets and desserts. Other staples are rice and beans. Rice is eaten when corn is not, and beans are consumed as a cheap protein by the majority of Nicaraguans. It is common for rice and beans to be eaten as a breakfast dish. There are many meals including these two staples; one popular dish, [[gallo pinto]], is often served as lunch, sometimes with [[Egg as food|eggs]]. Nicaraguans do not limit their diet solely to corn, rice, and beans. Many Nicaraguans have small gardens of their own full of vegetables and sometimes incorporate flowers into their meals.{{cn|date=August 2023}}


Commonly used ingredients (including fruits and vegetables) are peanuts, cabbage (shredded in vinegar, this is called "ensalada" and used as a side dish. Sometimes carrots and beets are added.) carrots, beets, butternut squash, plantains, bananas, fresh ginger, onion, potato, peppers, [[jocote]], [[Phyllanthus acidus|grosella]], [[mimbro]], [[mango]], [[papaya]], [[tamarind]], [[pipian]], [[apples]], [[avocado]], [[Cassava|yuca]], and [[quequisque]]. Herbs such as [[cilantro]], [[oregano]], and [[achiote]] are also used in cooking.<ref name="NICA">{{cite web | title = Try the culinary delights of Nicaragua cuisine| publisher = Nicaragua.com |url=http://www.nicaragua.com/cuisine/| access-date = 2006-05-08 }}</ref>
Commonly used ingredients are peanuts, cabbage (shredded in vinegar, this is called "ensalada" and used as a side dish, sometimes with carrots and beets added), carrots, beets, butternut squash, plantains, bananas, fresh ginger, onion, potato, peppers, [[jocote]], [[Phyllanthus acidus|grosella]], [[mimbro]], [[mango]], [[papaya]], [[tamarind]], [[pipian]], [[apples]], [[avocado]], [[Cassava|yuca]], and [[quequisque]]. Herbs such as [[cilantro]], [[oregano]], and [[achiote]] are also used in cooking.<ref name="NICA">{{cite web | title = Try the culinary delights of Nicaragua cuisine| publisher = Nicaragua.com |url=http://www.nicaragua.com/cuisine/| access-date = 2006-05-08 }}</ref>
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


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* [[Ropa Vieja|Carne desmenuzada]]
* [[Ropa Vieja|Carne desmenuzada]]
* [[Carne enchorizada]]
* [[Carne enchorizada]]
* [[Carne Pinchada]]
* [[Carne pinchada]]
* [[Carne sofrita]]
* [[Carne sofrita]]
* [[Coctel de conchas]]
* [[Coctel de conchas]]
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* [[Chancho adobado]]
* [[Chancho adobado]]
* [[Chancho frito]]
* [[Chancho frito]]
* [[Chicharrón]] con [[Chimichurri]]
* [[Chicharrón]] con [[chimichurri]]
* [[Churrasco]] con [[Chimichurri]]
* [[Churrasco]] con [[chimichurri]]
* [[Ensalada de aguacate]]
* [[Ensalada de aguacate]]
* [[Filete en tocineta]]
* [[Filete en tocineta]]
* [[Gallina Rellena]]
* [[Gallina Rellena|Gallina rellena]]
* [[Gallo Pinto]]
* [[Gallo pinto]]
* [[Guacamol Nica]]
* [[Guacamol Nica]]
* [[Guiso de berenjenas]]
* [[Guiso de berenjenas]]
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* [[Higado asado]]
* [[Higado asado]]
* [[Higado en caldillo]]
* [[Higado en caldillo]]
* [[Higado frito]]
* [[Higado frito]]
* [[Indio Viejo]]
* [[Indio viejo]]
* [[Beef tongue|Lengua]]
* [[Beef tongue|Lengua]]
* [[Lengua fingida]]
* [[Lengua fingida]]
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* [[Sopa de cola]]
* [[Sopa de cola]]
* [[Sopa de frijoles]]
* [[Sopa de frijoles]]
* [[Sopa de Gallina con Albóndigas]]
* [[Sopa de gallina con albóndigas]]
* [[Sopa de mondongo]]
* [[Sopa de mondongo]]
* [[Sopa de pastora]]
* [[Sopa de pastora]]
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* [[Sopa de sesos]]
* [[Sopa de sesos]]
* [[Sopa de verduras]]
* [[Sopa de verduras]]
* [[Sopa Siete Mares]]
* [[Sopa siete mares]]
* [[Substancia de carne o de higado]]
* [[Substancia de carne o de higado]]
* [[al pastor]]
* Tacos [[al pastor]]
* [[Tajadas con ensalada]]
* [[Tajada]]s con ensalada and/or [[queso frito]]
* [[Tamal pisque]]
* [[Tamal pisque]]
* [[Tamal Relleno]]
* [[Tamal relleno]]
* [[Tamales]]
* [[Tamales]]
* [[Tostones]]
* [[Tostones]]
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* [[Vigorón]]
* [[Vigorón]]
}}
}}

== Beverages ==


===Refrescos (drinks)===
===Refrescos (drinks)===
[[File:Chicha with Pipeño.jpg|thumb|[[Chicha|Chicha morada]] served with ''pipeño'']]
[[File:Chicha with Pipeño.jpg|thumb|[[Chicha|Chicha morada]] served with ''pipeño'']]


Nicaraguan cuisine makes use of fruits, some of which are only grown in that particular region due to their location. Many fruits are made into drinks known as [[aguas frescas|Frescos]], such as [[melon]], [[tamarind]], [[papaya]], [[guayaba]], [[guanábana]], [[coconut]], [[pineapple]], and [[pitahaya]]. [[Pinolillo]] is very popular among Nicaraguans, as many times they refer to themselves as ''[[pinolero]]s'', which means "pinolillo drinkers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juridicas.unam.mx/publica/librev/rev/derhum/cont/44/pr/pr35.pdf |title=El pinolero y su canción de sangre y esperanza &#124; Maradona &#124; Derechos Humanos. Órgano Informativo de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Estado de México |publisher=Juridicas.unam.mx}}</ref> Many drinks are also made from grains and seeds, mixed with milk, water, sugar and ice.<ref>{{cite news | first=Stefanie | last=Ellis | title=Fritanga: Welcome to Nicaragua. | url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/restaurant/story/957B48C2A78B7980862572F20000BA72?OpenDocument | work=STLToday | access-date=2007-06-07 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122030302/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/restaurant/story/957B48C2A78B7980862572F20000BA72?OpenDocument | archive-date=2007-11-22 }}</ref> Other drinks include:
Nicaraguan cuisine makes use of fruits, some of which are only grown in that particular region due to their location. Many fruits are made into drinks known as [[aguas frescas|frescos]], the Nicaraguan name for what are called "aguas frescas" in other Latin American countries. Common flavors include [[melon]], [[tamarind]], [[papaya]], [[guayaba]], [[guanábana]], [[coconut]], [[pineapple]], and [[pitahaya]]. [[Pinolillo]] is very popular among Nicaraguans, as many times they refer to themselves as ''[[pinolero]]s'', which means "pinolillo drinkers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juridicas.unam.mx/publica/librev/rev/derhum/cont/44/pr/pr35.pdf |title=El pinolero y su canción de sangre y esperanza &#124; Maradona &#124; Derechos Humanos. Órgano Informativo de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Estado de México |publisher=Juridicas.unam.mx}}</ref> Many drinks are also made from grains and seeds, mixed with milk, water, sugar and ice.<ref>{{cite news | first=Stefanie | last=Ellis | title=Fritanga: Welcome to Nicaragua. | url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/restaurant/story/957B48C2A78B7980862572F20000BA72?OpenDocument | work=STLToday | access-date=2007-06-07 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122030302/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/restaurant/story/957B48C2A78B7980862572F20000BA72?OpenDocument | archive-date=2007-11-22 }}</ref>

=== Alcoholic beverages ===
Rums, such as [[Flor de Caña]] and Ron Plata (both produced by Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua, S.A (CLNSA)), are both a popularly consumed beverage in Nicaragua and a crucial export product.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dara |first=Jillian |date=16 October 2019 |title=Drink Like a Local: Fair Trade Rum from Nicaragua |url=https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/flor-de-cana-rum-fair-trade-nicaragua |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=MICHELIN Guide |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Webber |first=Jude |date=2015-06-26 |title=Nicaragua's Flor de Caña rum pays healthy dividends |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7f411db0-0adf-11e5-98d3-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/zwSc1 |archive-date=2022-12-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-07}}</ref>

Popular rum-based cocktails include the "Nica libre," a regional re-naming of the [[Cuba Libre|Cuba libre]] (itself a variation of rum and coke), and the "[[Macuá]]" (containing orange, guava, and lime juices).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lacey |first=Marc |date=2006-10-05 |title=Hold the Mojito and Margarita, Nicaragua Has el Macuá |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/world/americas/hold-the-mojito-and-margarita-nicaragua-has-el-macua.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907062508/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/world/americas/hold-the-mojito-and-margarita-nicaragua-has-el-macua.html |archive-date=7 September 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The "Macúa" originated in 2006, when it won a Flor de Caña-sponsored competition to determine a marketable national cocktail representing Nicaragua, and was created by a pediatrician from [[Granada, Nicaragua|Granada]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2016 |title=Coctel nicaraguense cumple su decimo aniversario |url=http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/economia/empresas/388169-coctel-nicaraguense-cumple-su-decimo-aniversario/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=El Nuevo Diario |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=El-Bez |first=Quentin |date=2009-02-04 |title=Découverte - Le Macuà¡, cocktail national du Nicaragua |url=https://www.alambic-magazine.com/decouverte-le-macua-cocktail-national-du-nicaragua/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Alambic Magazine |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

Beer is also a common alcoholic beverage consumed in Nicaragua. Popular brands include Toña and Victoria, two former competitors both now produced by [[Compañía Cervecera de Nicaragua]], as of a 1996 merger.{{Attribution needed|reason=merger mentioned in Toña article, couldn't immediately find RS for it (only mentioned in press releases)|date=September 2022}}

=== Other drinks ===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Achiote con limon]]
* [[Achiote con limon]]
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* [[Passiflora ligularis|Granadilla]]
* [[Passiflora ligularis|Granadilla]]
* [[Horchata]]
* [[Horchata]]
* [[Kola Shaler]]
* [[Limonada cimarrona]]
* [[Limonada cimarrona]]
* [[Linaza]]
* [[Linaza]]
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* Mamey (nothing to do with sapodilla)
* Mamey (nothing to do with sapodilla)
* [[Melicoccus bijugatus|Mamón]]
* [[Melicoccus bijugatus|Mamón]]
* [[Macuá]] (Nicaragua's national drink)
* [[Nancite]] (yellow cherries drink)
* [[Nancite]] (yellow cherries drink)
* [[Naranja con remolachas]]
* [[Naranja con remolachas]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Postres (desserts)===
== Postres (desserts) ==
[[File:TresLechesCake.jpg|thumb|[[Tres leches cake]]]]
[[File:TresLechesCake.jpg|thumb|[[Tres leches cake]]]]
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
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* [[Almibar o curbaza]]
* [[Almibar o curbaza]]
* [[Almibar de toncuá]]
* [[Almibar de toncuá]]
* [[Arroz con leche]]
* [[Rice pudding|Arroz con leche]]
* [[Atol (drink)|Atol]]
* [[Atol (drink)|Atol]]
* [[Atol pujagua]]
* [[Atol pujagua]]
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[[Category:Nicaraguan cuisine| ]]
[[Category:Nicaraguan cuisine| ]]
[[Category:Central American cuisine]]
[[Category:Central American cuisine]]
[[Category:Latin American cuisine]]
[[Category:Mesoamerican cuisine]]

Latest revision as of 20:36, 10 March 2024

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Nicaraguan cuisine includes a mixture of Mesoamerican, Chibcha, Spanish, Caribbean, and African cuisine. Despite the blending and incorporation of pre-Columbian, Spanish and African influences, traditional cuisine differs from the western half of Nicaragua to the eastern half. Western Nicaraguan cuisine revolves around the Mesoamerican diet of the Chorotega and Nicarao people such as maize, tomatoes, avocados, turkey, squash, beans, chili, and chocolate, in addition to potatoes which were cultivated by the Chibcha people originating from South America and introduced meats like pork and chicken.[1][2][3][4][5] Eastern Nicaraguan cuisine consists mostly of seafood and coconut.

Cuisine

[edit]

Main staples

[edit]
Corn is a staple food in Nicaragua

As in many other Latin American countries, corn is a staple. It is used in many widely consumed dishes such as nacatamal and indio viejo. Corn is not only used in food; it is also an ingredient for drinks such as pinolillo and chicha as well as in sweets and desserts. Other staples are rice and beans. Rice is eaten when corn is not, and beans are consumed as a cheap protein by the majority of Nicaraguans. It is common for rice and beans to be eaten as a breakfast dish. There are many meals including these two staples; one popular dish, gallo pinto, is often served as lunch, sometimes with eggs. Nicaraguans do not limit their diet solely to corn, rice, and beans. Many Nicaraguans have small gardens of their own full of vegetables and sometimes incorporate flowers into their meals.[citation needed]

Commonly used ingredients are peanuts, cabbage (shredded in vinegar, this is called "ensalada" and used as a side dish, sometimes with carrots and beets added), carrots, beets, butternut squash, plantains, bananas, fresh ginger, onion, potato, peppers, jocote, grosella, mimbro, mango, papaya, tamarind, pipian, apples, avocado, yuca, and quequisque. Herbs such as cilantro, oregano, and achiote are also used in cooking.[6]

Typical Nicaraguan dishes

[edit]
Gallo pinto
Arroz a la valenciana

Beverages

[edit]

Refrescos (drinks)

[edit]
Chicha morada served with pipeño

Nicaraguan cuisine makes use of fruits, some of which are only grown in that particular region due to their location. Many fruits are made into drinks known as frescos, the Nicaraguan name for what are called "aguas frescas" in other Latin American countries. Common flavors include melon, tamarind, papaya, guayaba, guanábana, coconut, pineapple, and pitahaya. Pinolillo is very popular among Nicaraguans, as many times they refer to themselves as pinoleros, which means "pinolillo drinkers".[7] Many drinks are also made from grains and seeds, mixed with milk, water, sugar and ice.[8]

Alcoholic beverages

[edit]

Rums, such as Flor de Caña and Ron Plata (both produced by Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua, S.A (CLNSA)), are both a popularly consumed beverage in Nicaragua and a crucial export product.[9][10]

Popular rum-based cocktails include the "Nica libre," a regional re-naming of the Cuba libre (itself a variation of rum and coke), and the "Macuá" (containing orange, guava, and lime juices).[11] The "Macúa" originated in 2006, when it won a Flor de Caña-sponsored competition to determine a marketable national cocktail representing Nicaragua, and was created by a pediatrician from Granada.[12][13]

Beer is also a common alcoholic beverage consumed in Nicaragua. Popular brands include Toña and Victoria, two former competitors both now produced by Compañía Cervecera de Nicaragua, as of a 1996 merger.[attribution needed]

Other drinks

[edit]

Postres (desserts)

[edit]
Tres leches cake

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Fowler, 1989
  2. ^ "Chocolate in Mesoamerica A Cultural History of Cacao" (PDF).
  3. ^ "Costa Rican Archaeology and Mesoamerica" (PDF).
  4. ^ Bergmann, John F. (1969). "The Distribution of Cacao Cultivation in Pre-Columbian America". Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 59 (1): 85–96. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.1969.tb00659.x. JSTOR 2569524.
  5. ^ "Bringing Home the Flavors of Nicaragua: A Provisional Guide to Great Nicaraguan Cuisine".
  6. ^ "Try the culinary delights of Nicaragua cuisine". Nicaragua.com. Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  7. ^ "El pinolero y su canción de sangre y esperanza | Maradona | Derechos Humanos. Órgano Informativo de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Estado de México" (PDF). Juridicas.unam.mx.
  8. ^ Ellis, Stefanie. "Fritanga: Welcome to Nicaragua". STLToday. Archived from the original on 2007-11-22. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  9. ^ Dara, Jillian (16 October 2019). "Drink Like a Local: Fair Trade Rum from Nicaragua". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  10. ^ Webber, Jude (2015-06-26). "Nicaragua's Flor de Caña rum pays healthy dividends". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  11. ^ Lacey, Marc (2006-10-05). "Hold the Mojito and Margarita, Nicaragua Has el Macuá". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  12. ^ "Coctel nicaraguense cumple su decimo aniversario". El Nuevo Diario (in Spanish). 22 March 2016. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  13. ^ El-Bez, Quentin (2009-02-04). "Découverte - Le Macuà¡, cocktail national du Nicaragua". Alambic Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2022-09-07.
[edit]