Even though Puerto Rico is a part of the US, I love that their food is so distinctive. Yes, every major food chain is represented there, but we never go to these establishments. Casa del Whopper is not getting our business in Puerto Rico. We prefer to eat with the locals at small restaurants that the tourists do not even know. We have enjoyed some fantastic and inexpensive food at hole-in-the-wall eateries. These places really test our communication skills in Spanish and sign language.
Puerto Rican food is rich and tasty. Servings are also large. Raw or cooked vegetables do not play a major role on most menus. So, as with everything, practice moderation! Share your plates or plan to take home two-thirds for a couple more meals.
If it is your first trip to Puerto Rico, you must try Mofongo. Imagine smashed potatoes with garlic, olive oil and bacon except this version is prepared with plantains or other root vegetables. And it is smothered with meat, fish or vegetables in a rich sauce.
Most of these pictures were taken before I planned this guide, I will upgrade them as I can. Let me know if I should include any other dishes and send me those yummy pictures!
My husband and I are still novices when in comes to Puerto Rican. I hope to be able to distinguish the Spanish, African and Taino influences that come together so beautifully in the people and their food.
Breakfast
Mallorca, a sandwich made from a lightly sweet dough with either savory or sweet fillings, dusted with powdered sugar.
Quesitos de Guayaba is a light pastry dough is filled with cream cheese and guayaba paste
Puerto Rican Coffee is strong and served with steamed milk. I always need a double!
Appetizers
Arepas are a fried bread available in all Latin countries. Some are made with a fine cornmeal and are gluten-free. In PR, I’m pretty sure they are made with flour. Arepas are typically stuffed with shrimp, crab or octopus. The coconut version is delicious on its own.
Alcapurrias are fritters made from a dough of green bananas, yautia (taro root) stuffed with meat or crab
Arañitas are composed of shredded green plantain strips clustered together and fried.
Bacalaítos are codfish fritters
Ceviche
A seafood salad typically made from raw fish cured in citrus juices and spiced with ají, chili peppers or other seasonings including chopped onions, salt, and cilantro.
Empanada
Empanadas are made by folding dough over a stuffing, which may consist of meat, cheese, corn, or other ingredients. Pastelillos are similar but are smaller and are closed by pressing the edges with a fork (instead of being twisted).
Canoas
Ripe plantain canoes stuffed with ground beef and topped with cheese.
Sorullos look like mozzarella sticks but are made of corn flour.
Tostones are twice-fried plantain slices, salty and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Piononos are rollups of ripe plantains and ground beef
Relleno de Papa is a ball of mashed potato filed with seasoned ground pork and dipped in a batter.
Mayoketchup (equal parts of mayo and ketchup) is a popular dip and dressing.
Main Dishes
Mofongo
Mofongo is mashed green plantains with garlic, olive oil and pork rinds. It is also common in Puerto Rico to make mofongo with cassava (mofongo de yuca), taro and eddoe (mofongo de malanga y yautía), bread fruit (mofongo de pana), or a combination of cassava, ripe and green plantains (trifongo), ripe and unripe plantains (mofongo de amarillo). Mofongo is usually served with a topping of shrimp, beef, chicken etc. in a rich garlic sauce. Pictured is a spiced up version, hence the lovely yellow coloring.
Pasteles
There are similar to tamales but the casing is mashed plantain wrapped in banana leaf. It is a Christmas specialty mostly because they are time consuming to prepare and easier to do at a family gathering.
Pernil – Slow-roasted marinated pork shoulder, commonly made for holidays & special occasions. Crunchy skin and tender meat it is the equivalent to a Thanksgiving turkey.
Bistec
Sirloin steak
Carne Frita
These fried pork chunks are so juicy. They often have a crispy pork skin called chicharrons.
Chuletas Can-Can
This is a pork chop on asteroids! It is huge (see my face) and includes the loin, ribs, belly, and some skin. It looks like a Can-Can skirt, doesn’t it?
Arroz con Gandules – A combination of rice, pigeon peas, and pork, cooked in the same pot with sofrito. It is one of the signature rice dishes of Puerto Rican cuisine.
Arroz con Mariscos – a Cuban/Spanish rice dish loaded with seafood.
Asopao
Asopao is often described as a Puerto Rican take on gumbo. Chicken asopao is a hearty meal as it has rice in the broth as well.
Lechón – Roast suckling pig is more than food in Puerto Rico; it’s tradition.
Ropa Viejo
It literally mean old clothes but is shredded beef. Here it is stuffed into a fabulous avocado (aguacate)
Jibarito
A fried plantain sandwich. Great if you are Gluten Free.
Tostone Burger
Mi Vida Cafe in Palmer is our favorite burger joint.
Chillo Frito
Fried red snapper from our local favorite restaurant Zimple.
Langosta
Lobster! This was takeout from La Parrilla
Pana Tacos
Breadfriut tacos are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and super delicious! This delicious lunch was introduced to us by Sid.
Salmorejo, a rich stew made with crab, tomato, garlic, onion and peppers.
Sancocho
This stew made with beef, chicken, potatoes, breadfruit, corn on the cob, and chayote squash, is a warm and comforting meal. Restaurants only make this stew on particular days of the week as it takes a long time to prepare.
Mondongo is a soup cooked of tripe and vegetables.
Desserts
Flan
Flan is a delicious and common dessert available in a number of flavors including vanilla, cheese and coconut
Flancocho
is a combination of flan and cake
Budin is Puerto Rican bread pudding
A limber is like a popsicle frozen in a small cup available in many different flavors
Tembleque
is a coconut custard dusted with cinnamon
Tres Leches is a light and fluffy cake uses three or four types of milk making it extra moist and delicious. It may be made with whole milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream and sometimes even coconut milk.
Dulce de Papaya is candied papaya with cinnamon that can be enjoyed with ice cream or cheese.
Arroz con Dulce is rice pudding, a traditional Christmas dish
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