The gastronomy of Costa Rica
The gastronomy of Costa Rica brings together the customs and culinary uses of the inhabitants of that country, and is part of its national identity. At the sociocultural level, it is a cuisine with an intense miscegenation, strongly conditioned by its tropical environment, and very close to the Mediterranean diet because of a basal mixture between South European, Levantine and Sephardic groups. There are also notable contributions of African, indigenous, Afro-Antillean, Eastern, Latin American and other parts of Europe.123 In addition, due to its geographical position in the middle of the two great territorial masses of Europe, throughout its history Costa Rica has been a biological and cultural bridge between the north and south of the continent. This has produced in its small territory a unique meeting of flora and fauna, which generates an exuberant range of food products; enriched also with all the rush of seafood because its coasts are bathed by two oceans.
Gallo pinto, ron con limón, tamal asado, empanada arreglada and chicharrones, mistela añejada de naranja y anís, bocas de queso con dulce de guayaba, tosteles de dulce de leche y fresa, rice and beans, picadillo de chayote con carne, macarrones en salsa blanca, chorreadas con natilla y guaro con miel de abeja y limón.
Among the typical Costa Rican foods are the following: - El casado: This dish is made from boiled rice, beans and fried sweet banana. It is usually accompanied with beef, pork or chicken. Sometimes a side of coleslaw or cabbage with tomato and carrot is included. - Ceviche: This appetizer consists of raw fish marinated in citrus juices such as lemon and herbs. It is usually made with local tilapia or sea bass (sea bass). - The gallo pinto: It is one of the most representative dishes of the country, it is also known as "pinto" or "patrulla". This dish has African influence and is prepared with rice, beans and some condiments such as onion, sweet chili and coriander. It is considered a breakfast, but can be taken at any time of the day and can be accompanied with eggs, sausages or corn tortillas.