Friday, September 03rd 2010

Panama - Panamanian Recipes

Panamanian cuisine has been influenced by a mix of Native American, African, and Spanish cooking and dishes, which is a reflection of Panama's diverse population. Typical foods are rather mild without the pungency and heat of some of Panama's surrounding neighbors.

A typical Panama meal usually includes meat, coconut rice and beans accompanied by local fruits and vegetables like yucca, squash and plantains.

The national dish of Panama is sancocho: A Panamanian stew, packed with meat (usually chicken) and veggies. Other popular dishes are empanads with shells made of maize or flour; Carimanola: a fried yucca roll stuffed with meat and boiled eggs. Tamales: boiled pockets of masa harina dough, stuffed with meat and served in banana leaves.