Puerto Rican Cuisine - Everything You Need To Know About Cocina Criolla

 

From plantain to tubers, Puerto Rico’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems mean that it’s a prime area for agriculture and farming. Since the 19th century, this has led to the growth of unique cuisine that touches on many influences but makes the food it’s own. This is unsurprising given Puerto Rico’s unique status as a former Spanish colony and current U.S territory, all whilst nestled in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. 

You’ll find plenty of restaurants dedicated to cocina criolla; the Eclipse Restaurant at Isabella’s Villa Montana beach resort is just one of the many eateries focused on local cuisine and produce. But what does the cuisine consist of, and what are some of the dishes you can expect during a stay on the island?

What Is Cocina Criolla?

Well known and popular as far back as the late 19th century, Puerto Rican cuisine is inspired by an equal blend of local meats and vegetables, and still uses the same recipes as almost 150 years ago. With similarities to South American and Spanish meals, Puerto Rican food also finds influence in European and native Taino ingredients, reflecting the diversity of the U.S territory’s culture. Often rice and plantain based, Puerto Rican meals can be found at street markets, parties and as the cuisine of Villa Montana Beach Resort weddings, whilst also being a focus for local fine dining establishments. 

Local Ingredients

There are many ingredients used in Puerto Rican cuisine, much of which are grown on the island. These include beans and grains such as limas, peas, green beans and black and white beans. Yams, potato and apio are among the starchy vegetables and roots used in cooking, whilst eggplant, green onions and asparagus are examples of vegetables. On top of this, classic Spanish sausages such as chorizo, longaniza and butifarra are popular meats used in cooking, as is locally sourced chicken and lamb. 

Local Recipes To Try At Home

Whether you’re looking at wedding locations in Puerto Rico or a surfing trip, it might be a little while yet before international tourists are allowed to travel to Puerto Rico. In the meantime, if you can source the ingredients, try these amazing recipes at home. 

Empanadillas

Pastries made in a half-moon shape, these savoury snacks are filled with Puerto Rican classics such as sofrito and achiote, a mixture of vegetables and spices that is bound to wake up the tastebuds. 

Pasteles

Filling and flavourful, pasteles are a mixture of vegetable dough and meat filling, using steamed banana leaves and green plantain to season the hearty dish. 

Pollo Guisado

Chicken stew Puerto Rican style, pollo guisado uses dark chicken meat cooked and browned with adobo, sofrito, achiote and a range of seasonings to make a warming dish worthy of any dinner time. The beauty of pollo guisado is in its flexible vegetable sides, giving you a wealth of options from the abundance grown in Puerto Rico.

Arroz con habichuelas

Another base for meats, sauces and stews, arroz con habichuelas is a unique form of fried rice that is found in many restaurants and street food markets in Puerto Rico. This tantalising rice is made with pigeon peas, herbs and a dash of local seasonings, before frying the mixture in bacon fat to give it a real kick.