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What Are Some Puerto Rican Food Choices?

by Kirby Brooks

Overview

Known as "cocina criolla" by locals, Puerto Rican food is known for using indigenous ingredients and seasonings like papaya, coriander, cacao, apio, nispero, yampee and plantains. Welcome.topuertorico.org describes Puerto Rican food as a fusion of American, Spanish, African and Taíno influences.
Asopau

Described as "a hearty gumbo made with either chicken or shellfish" by Welcome.topuertorico.org, Asopau is one of the most traditional Puerto Rican dishes and every Puerto Rican chef is said to have their own version.

Adobo and Sofrito

Known for lending many native Puerto Rican foods their unique color and taste, adobo and sofrito are two blends of spices and herbs. Adobo is often rubbed into meats before roasting and is a mixture of oregano, garlic, salt, peppercorns, olive oil and either vinegar or lime juice. A blend of onions, garlic, peppers and coriander browned and colored with achiote (annatoo seeds), sofrito is responsible for the yellow color of many dishes.
Puerto Rican Beef Stew

Stews are a staple in the Puerto Rican diet, with Puerto Rican beef stew, or carne guisada puertorriquentilda, being one of the most popular. Other than beef, the ingredients used in the stew vary but often include sweet chili peppers, potatoes, olives or green peppers.
Barbequed Pig

Barbequed pig, or lechón asado, is a common Puerto Rican dish served at celebrations for a dozen or more guests. After being basted with jugo de naranjas agría (sour orange juice) and achiote coloring, the pig is roasted and served with peeled green plantains, which are also roasted. Traditionally, lechón asado is dressed with a sour garlic sauce called ali-li-monjili.
Popular Chicken Dishes

Arroz con pollo, or chicken with rice, is the most common chicken dish served in Puerto Rico and was brought to the U.S. a long time ago. Pollo al jerez (chicken in sherry), pollo agriddulce (sweet and sour chicken) and pollitos asados a la parrilla (broiled chickens) are other popular Puerto Rican chicken dishes.
Coconut

Most Puerto Rican desserts include coconut in their list of ingredients. Coconut flan, for example, is a popular desert made using coconut milk, or leche de coco.