Mouthwatering Staples of Costa Rican Cuisine

Costa Rica, in addition to its idyllic landscapes and enviable tropical climate, is well recognized for its delicious - and typically quite healthy - Latin American cuisine. Rice and beans are common features of Costa Rican cuisine which lend themselves to hearty meals full of vegetable proteins and vitamins. In this entry, we’ll take a look at a few of our favorite Costa Rican dishes.

Casado

I challenge you to visit Costa Rica and not partake of a heaping plate of casado. So named for the “marriage” of constituent ingredients in the dish, the casado is everywhere in Costa Rica. Rice and beans serve as the base of this dish, topped off with a variety of vegetables such as fried plantains, sautéed red peppers, onions, and carrots. Accompany this veggie medley with a cut of grilled pork or chicken, and you’ve got a well-rounded meal that is sure to satisfy.

Olla de Carne

Stews are another common entrée in Costa Rican cuisine. Olla de carne is a simple, but extremely nutrient rich stew consisting of large chunks of beef, sweet potatoes, plantains, carrots, and yuccas.

Empanadas

A popular snack that has found its way into contemporary American cuisine, empanadas are fried dough pockets stuffed with beans, cheese, and chicken. While not the healthiest staple of Costa Rican cuisine, empanadas are irresistibly delicious.

Ceviche

A seafood dish consisting of fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices and seasoned with chili peppers, onions, salt, cilantro, and garlic. The fish is typically locally caught tilapia, a light whitefish with a delightfully sweet flavor profile. Historians believe that this dish has been eaten in Costa Rica for nearly 2,000 years.

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