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The Food in Puerto Rico - A Gringo's Look
from:Before I visited Puerto Rico for the first time, I asked my girlfriend "What kinds of food should I expect?" With a puzzled look she replied that Puerto Rico has all kinds of food and restaurants. What was I thinking? After visiting and subsequently moving to San Juan, I think I can begin to describe what culinary offerings are available to the would-be visitor.
There are two main types of cuisine that I would classify: Native Puerto Rican and Other. First, the native cuisine consists of plantains (those large banana-type things you see in your grocery store but have no idea how you would use them), other tubers, rice, meat and some seafood. From my experience, plantains are used throughout Puerto Rico either as an ingredient or as a side dish. As an ingredient, one of the most common is its use in "mofongo", which consists of mashed plantain, some spices, and sometimes filled with meat, crab, or other meat. While they may look like bananas on the outside, the unripened ones have a consistency and flavor not unlike potatoes. Tostones, flattened slices of plantains that are fried, are often served on the side, like large french fries. In addition, tostones are used as a bread or bruschetta replacement in appetizers. Plantains are also served when ripe, which gives them a sweet flavor (no, they do not taste like bananas at all). Pieces of these can be mixed into rice and beans or other dishes to add a little sweetness to them.
Being an island in the middle of the Caribbean, you'd think there would be an abundance of fish and seafood available, but there is surprisingly little. Most restaurants serving Puerto Rican cuisine will have some Mahi Mahi, red snapper, and shrimp on the menu. Fancier ones may have lobster available, too (usually Caribbean spiny lobster, which is smaller than a Maine lobster). More common than seafood, a variety of traditional meat is available for your protein needs. Churrasco or skirt steak is a favorite, along with pork and chicken prepared in many ways. The preparation of these is pretty standard, either grilled, baked, or otherwise cooked through until done. I've noticed most places tend to cook their beef on the rare side, so be prepared to bump your preference to the next level or deal with your meat cooked a little less than you prefer. Whole pigs slow-roasted on a spit is also a delicacy in the interior of the island should you happen to venture that way.
In restaurants, deep-frying of appetizers and snacks is very common. From bacalao, a type of cod fish pancake (tastes a lot better than it sounds) to croquetas (cornmeal and ham stick resembling a cheese stick) to alcapurrias (mashed plantains and/or yucca filled with meat or crab), if you like your food fried, Puerto Rican cuisine has something to offer.
The second type of food available I'll just call Other because it consists of pretty much everything else available in the world today. Fast food joints seen all over the United States are certainly available, as are some of the larger chain restaurants. Restaurants range from a walk-up window selling hot dogs to lavish multi-course meals in the hundreds of dollars. And the variety of styles will accommodate everyone visiting from anywhere, whether it's vegetarian, sushi, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Cuban, pizza, or anything else you desire. Chances are excellent that you will find a restaurant to fit your needs.
I now see that my original question about what food to expect was a little naïve and ignorant on my part. Like most places in the modern world, you can dine on pretty much anything you like. Visitors should not be afraid to try some of the local dishes, however. They are filled with flavors and textures that are unique to Puerto Rican culture. But if you choose to go for something that is familiar to you, you should have no problem finding what you need.
For more information on restaurants in Puerto Rico, visit http://restaurantsinpr.com
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