EasyTravel

Colombian Meals: 28 Conventional Dishes to attempt in Colombia or at residence

[ad_1]

Latin America is legendary for its scrumptious meals, and Colombia doesn’t disappoint. In truth, sampling Colombian meals is without doubt one of the prime causes to go to Colombia. Like its nation, Colombian delicacies is numerous and thrilling.

You could spot the odd Caribbean meals or Peruvian dish in these 28 finest dishes – Colombian delicacies is massively influenced by its surrounding areas and colonial historical past. The nation is cut up into six areas, every of which has its personal regional specialties as properly. Do not forget that there are regional variations when touring round Colombia’s must-see cities – you don’t wish to miss out on a specialty dish.

28 Conventional Colombian Dishes

Traditional Colombian Dishes

Able to discover the most effective Colombian meals? Whether or not you wish to attempt some Colombian delicacies at residence or are visiting Colombia and are excited to attempt native dishes, this information will introduce you to the most effective. We’ll cowl every part, from Empanadas to Frijoles Rojos. Let’s dive straight in.

1. Colombian Empanadas

colombian food embanadas

Colombian empanadas have been a favourite dish since colonial instances. Its look is very like a Cornish pasty, and the pastry is folded over with a filling inside. It’s straightforward to identify with its attribute semi-circle form and pinched edge.

You’ll discover floor meat, potatoes, cheese, and hogao (tomato salsa sauce) inside. After all, there are some recipe variations – particularly for meat-free variations of the dish. Colombian empanadas are easy to make at residence and scrumptious to eat in Colombia. In order for you a fast, straightforward snack, empanadas are among the best Colombian dishes.

If you wish to attempt an empanada earlier than you journey to Colombia, you can comply with this recipe to make your individual at residence.

2. Pandebono

best colombian food Pandebono

The legend behind pandebono is that an Italian baker dwelling in Cali created the bread. When he offered it, he used to stroll the streets shouting ‘pane del buono’ (good bread); the identify caught, and the bread grew to become probably the most in style Colombian meals.

So, what’s it precisely? The bread can also be nicknamed Colombian cheese bread, which ought to offer you trace. It’s made with melted cheese, yuca flour, and eggs and formed into bagel or ball shapes. You’ll be able to eat pandebono at breakfast, as avenue meals, or as a facet at dinner – it’s a versatile dish. Do not forget that it’s best eaten when it’s nonetheless heat out of the oven. Pandebono is a dish meant to be eaten as recent as doable.

To get within the temper to your Colombian travels, make your individual Pandebono at residence with this recipe.

3. Bandeja Paisa

traditional colombian dishes bandeja Paisa

Bandeja paisa might be probably the most iconic Colombian meals on this information. Some even go so far as to name it the nationwide dish. Bandeja paisa is a platter-styled meal with an assortment of meats, a fried egg, white rice, corn, plantain, purple beans, and an avocado. The meats embody minced beef and chorizo sausage to chicharron. You’ll normally discover an Arepa on the plate, too (extra on that later).

Bandeja paisa is typical of Colombia’s Antioquia area and, like frijoles rojos, was good for staff spending lengthy days within the mountains and on farms. Bandeja paisa packs a nutritious punch and is filled with protein and carbohydrates. It stays a well-liked lunch selection and is one to attempt in case you go to Colombia. Make your recipe at residence by following this recipe.

4. Frijoles Rojos

colombian cuisine Frijoles Rojos

Frijoles Rojos is a particular Colombian dish that makes use of cargamento beans, additionally referred to as purple beans. This Colombian meals is especially wholesome, and purple beans are an important supply of iron, potassium, low-fat protein, and fiber. It’s a stew-like concoction, and the purple beans are combined with tomatoes, onion, and garlic. It’s then normally served on prime of a portion of rice.

Frijoles rojos was initially a laborer’s meal. It’s budget-friendly and filled with vitality and vitamins – good for fueling a tough day at work. Nonetheless, Frijoles Rojos have grow to be a broadly eaten dish in Colombian delicacies. Watch this straightforward video to make it your self.

5. Bananos Calados

Bananos calados is considered one of Colombia’s finest desserts and comes from the Quindio area, close to the Andes. It may not look (or sound) appetizing, however it’s simply one of many tastiest meals you may attempt from Colombian delicacies. The dessert consists of fried bananas combined with lime juice and served with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, making a candy but tangy deal with to your tastebuds. Often, you may additionally discover the lime juice changed by orange juice and cinnamon – so hold your eye out for any distinctive recipes.

Colombia has a number of native fruit, and you’ll simply see that this has impressed many conventional recipes. Bananos calados are one meals to attempt if you wish to expertise Colombia’s dessert scene. Make this scrumptious candy at residence to carry again reminiscences of your travels to Colombia.

6. Chicharron Colombiano

colombian food Chicharron Colombiano

Chicharron Colombiano is fried pork stomach, a hearty dish lined in onions, bay leaves, and seasoning for an excellent style. Chicharron is filled with taste and served with a crisp texture that has been perfected over generations of cooking. It’s a typical dinner dish and is related to household and custom.

The dish is typical of Colombia’s Andean area. Nonetheless, it originated in Spain and was launched to Colombia by Spanish colonizers. The Spanish recipe varies drastically; rind or stomach cuts can be utilized, in contrast to the Colombian model. You’ll discover that almost all international locations in Latin America have their very own model of chicharron. Get able to attempt as many various variations as doable. Colombia has since taken a agency spin on the dish, although, and chicharron has properly and really entered Colombian delicacies.

7. Coconut rice

Overlook white rice; coconut rice is the tastiest. As its identify might counsel, coconut rice is cooked with coconuts, giving it a yummy taste and getting it a spot on this checklist as a meal in its personal proper. There are two primary methods coconut rice is ready: cooking it in coconut milk or mixing it with shredded coconut. Cooking it in coconut milk is the most effective, as you get a stronger coconut taste.

The historical past of coconut rice is a little bit of a thriller. The dish is scattered throughout the globe, particularly in Asia and South America. Nonetheless, since coconuts are considered one of Colombia’s commonest tropical fruits, it’s no thriller why they’re so prevalent in Colombian delicacies. Should you get the prospect to attempt it, coconut rice is a tasty dish.

8. Pescado Frito

colombian food Pescado Frito

Pescado Frito is a basic, conventional Colombian meals. Pescado Frito interprets as fried fish and is served entire, with pores and skin and head intact. It may be a bit of daunting in case you aren’t used to consuming fish like this. Nonetheless, you’ll quickly be received over, as cooking the fish in its pores and skin boosts its taste and retains the fish meat moist. You’ll be able to count on a lot juicer meat than you’d get consuming fillets and fish steaks.

In Colombia, the fried fish is normally mojarra or purple snapper. The fish is sliced after which flavored with lime and seasoning, typically sitting within the juice for some time to essentially take in the flavour. It’s served with rice, plantain, and salad – the proper lunch dish.

9. Arepa de Huevo

colombian food Arepa de Huevo

Arepa de huevo is a variation of normal arepas, that are fried corn desserts. Arepas are a massively in style breakfast meals and are additionally thought-about considerably of a consolation meals. Arepa de huevo are one of many tastiest variations with egg. Getting ready them entails frying a corn cake, splitting it, and filling it with an egg, then frying it once more to prepare dinner the egg inside. The result’s a fried egg coated in fried bread.

It’s no shock that arepas de huevos are probably the most in style dishes – particularly for breakfast. They’re served in stacks (like pancakes) as a standalone dish. Simply decide your sauce to match, salsa and bitter cream are nice decisions. See this recipe to get up with a style of Colombia.

10. Sopa de Pollo

Sopa de pollo interprets as rooster soup, and it’s one other comforting meal in Colombian delicacies. It’s truthful to say that it’s in all probability the commonest Colombian soup and is broadly eaten throughout the nation. The rooster soup can also be filled with plantain, corn, potatoes, and yuca. In truth, it’s so filled with elements that it typically seems extra like a stew than a soup.

After all, rooster soup is discovered worldwide, however Colombia’s model is especially scrumptious. The mix of elements like plantain and yuca is far more distinctive, and infrequently Colombian recipes use a complete rooster.

Sopa de pollo is a superb Colombian meals to attempt when visiting or to recreate at residence. It’s best cooked slow-cooked and served piping scorching and is a type of one-pot dishes the entire household loves.

11. Morcilla

colombian food morcilla

Morcilla is a blood sausage made with floor pork and pork blood. Morcillas are simply noticed due to their darkish, deep reddish-brown coloration. They’re a really conventional dish throughout Latin America. You should not have any drawback discovering some to attempt in case you go to Colombia. And in case you like black pudding, you’re in for a deal with.

Morcillas are ready from scratch, and the method entails squeezing the combination into sausage casings. The bottom meat is combined with pork blood, onions, and rice earlier than being put into casings. Colombian recipes have a tendency so as to add cilantro and infrequently inexperienced peas as properly. The sausages are then normally boiled to prepare dinner.

12. Cazuela de Mariscos

Prepared for a Colombian seafood dish? Cazuela de mariscos is without doubt one of the hottest Colombian dishes in coastal areas, particularly alongside the Caribbean Coast and Cartegena. It’s a typical meals and seafood casserole or seafood stew – filled with every part from prawns to mussels and lobster. The meats are cooked in coconut milk with a combination of greens. You may even have white wine and cheese added to the combination in case you are fortunate.

Cazuela de mariscos is an iconic dish when visiting Colombia’s shoreline. What is healthier than a recent seafood dish? More often than not, the elements have been simply caught out of the Caribbean Sea. That is undoubtedly one to your checklist once you go to Colombia. Or attempt making it at residence with this yummy recipe.

13. Colombian Bunuelos

colombian food bunuelos

Bunuelos are deep-fried balls filled with recent cheese – an ideal afternoon snack or breakfast chew. Unusually sufficient, they’re typically served alongside scorching chocolate and occasional, so you may typically discover bunuelos at cafes in Colombia.

Bunuelos are probably the most in style Colombian meals. The recipe creates dough from yucca flour, cornstarch, eggs, milk, and sugar. The deep-fried dough is then made, with the bunuelos organized into their attribute appetizer-sized ball form and floated in a pan of boiling vegetable oil.

It’s thought that bunuelos have been launched to Colombia by Spanish invaders. The snack is now eaten throughout Colombia as avenue meals and cafe or restaurant deal with. Bunuelos are particularly in style at Christmas time. We discovered this easy to comply with recipe on YouTube

14. Obleas

best colombian food Obleas
Filling of Obleas ready for the second wafer (beneath) to create the sandwich

Obleas is not only a typical Colombian dish; it’s loved throughout Spain and Latin America. Obleas seems to be like a sandwich, and that’s exactly what it’s. The basic dessert consists of two wafers that sandwich a filling of dulce de leche and infrequently a combination of fruit, whipped cream, and jam. The Colombian model is nearly similar however provides one particular ingredient – Colombian caramel.

Should you’ve received a candy tooth, obleas are among the best typical Colombian desserts to attempt. You’ll discover them in every single place, from cafes to avenue stalls.

15. Lechona

Lechona is a Colombian meals for particular events. The dish consists of a complete roasted pig filled with onions, peas, potatoes, pork fats, white rice, garlic, and spices like cumin. After the pig has had its bones eliminated and has been stuffed, it’s positioned within the oven and slow-cooked (typically for as much as ten hours).

Evidently, lechona is meant to be the culinary masterpiece of the desk. It’s a dish designed to be shared with massive teams of individuals once you wish to splash out on a flowery meal. You’ll typically discover particular person servings of lechona at eating places round Colombia, although, so hold your eyes peeled.

16. Cholado

traditional colombian food Cholado

Let’s set Colombian meals apart for a second. Cholado is without doubt one of the finest drinks in Colombia, so let’s introduce you. The drink is a refreshing combination of shaved ice, recent fruit, and sweetened condensed milk. Relying on the place you get one, you may additionally discover the drink served with ice cream, wafers, and whipped cream.

Cholado originates from Jamundi in Valle de Cauca. It’s a combine between dessert, fruit cocktail, and drink – ticking all of the packing containers creatively and deliciously. Should you love recent fruit and candy treats, it’s a nice drink to attempt when visiting Colombia, but easy sufficient to recreate at residence.

17. Carimanola

Carimanolas are straightforward to identify. The tiny fritters are formed into attribute torpedo shapes, normally served in bulk as bitesize appetizers. They’re a conventional Colombian meals, though you’ll additionally discover carimanolas in different Southern American international locations like Panama.

Inside, carimanolas are filled with floor beef or shredded rooster, cheese, and seasoning. The fritters are then deep-fried to create a type of meat pie. They’re gentle and crispy on the skin but comfortable on the within. Most of the time, carimanolas include aji sauce. This brilliant inexperienced sauce primarily consists of cilantro and is good and spicy – the proper facet. Wish to attempt them earlier than your travels? Head over to comply with this recipe

18. Colombian Sopa de Mondongo

colombian Sopa de Mondongo

Whereas mondongo typically has a stew-like consistency, it’s really one other typical Colombian soup. The soup consists of onion, potato, beef tripe, chorizo, and pork, all served piping scorching in a small bowl. It’s a extremely conventional Colombian meals, and also you’ll discover mondongo at most eating places throughout the nation.

Like many Colombian dishes, sopa de mondongo is believed to have been launched by Spanish colonizers. The tomato-based soup has been firmly adopted into the Colombian culinary scene, although, and Colombian variations of the recipe have a particular twist.

19. Fritanga

colombian food Fritanga

Fritanga is a platter dish. The dish is broadly offered amongst avenue meals distributors and consists of a combination of meals heaped onto a big plate – normally barbecued on the road. So, what meals will you discover in fritanga? Often, chorizo, sausage, plantain, and a combination of greens.

Fritanga is a Nicaraguan dish, though it has grow to be adopted into Colombian delicacies. The story behind its origin is a tragic one. The meal was first created after the 1931 earthquake, which hit Nicaragua, and other people cooked meals on the road with barbecues.

Now, you’ll discover fritanga cooked throughout Latin America and Colombia. It’s a historic, tasty, and filling dish to attempt.

20. Bocadillo

colombian dishes Bocadillo

A bocadillo is a scrumptious Colombian meals made with guava paste – a product of a well-liked tropical fruit. The dish is extraordinarily candy and a particular deal with and dessert. It has a melt-in-your-mouth texture however is in any other case not sticky to the contact. Bocadillos solely require just a few elements, largely panela and guava pulp, so they’re easy to make if you wish to recreate the dish at residence.

You’ll typically discover bocadillos served at cafes, normally alongside a slice of salty white cheese. They arrive lower into little rectangles or squares and are the proper bitesize treats.

21. Aborrajados

colombian food Aborrajados

Aborrajados are one dish that you simply don’t discover as simply. It originated within the Valley de Cauca and is a regional specialty. The artistic (if barely bizarre-sounding) dish consists of deep-fried plantain filled with cheese to create a crispy, wholesome cheese chew. The perfect place to attempt aborrajados is within the area of the Valley de Cauca itself, the place you’ll discover the dish most prevalently anyway.

Aborrajados are served as snacks or appetizers earlier than a big meal. Don’t rule out the dish at pudding time, although, as you may add guava paste to the fried dish to create a candy deal with for dessert.

22. Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con pollo actually interprets as rice with rooster. It’s a easy however staple Colombian meals and very like Spanish paella. The dish consists of rice, rooster, onion, and greens, with saffron tossed via the combination for extra taste.

In order for you a filling dish, arroz con pollo is a superb selection. Plus, it’s straightforward to search out and is broadly served at eating places and avenue vendor stalls throughout Colombia. It’s believed that arroz con pollo originated in Spain whereas the nation was below Moorish affect. When Spanish colonizers arrived in Colombia, it’s presumed that the dish was launched to Colombian meals tradition.

23. Cocadas Blancas

colombian dishes Cocadas Blancas

We’ve lined tons from Colombia’s coastal area. However what a couple of dessert from the Caribbean Coast? Cocadas blancas is an excellent candy dessert to your checklist. The dish is made with a mixture of shredded coconut, sugar, milk, and coconut water. Relying on the place you attempt it, you may additionally discover further elements like cinnamon – most individuals have their very own twist on the basic recipe.

Cocadas blancas are normally offered on the road and alongside Colombia’s seashores. Nonetheless, yow will discover them on dessert menus in eating places too. They’re scrumptious meals, sticky and candy. You might be in for a deal with attempting one.

24. Colombian Scorching Chocolate

colombian hot chocolate

Talking of desserts, scorching chocolate is one other candy deal with that Colombia excels at. The Colombian model of scorching chocolate is known as Santafereno. It is vitally totally different from the European and American variations of the drink. As a substitute of candy milk chocolate, the Colombian model makes use of darkish, unsweetened chocolate. Santafereno is usually made in water, not milk, with cinnamon or cloves typically added to counteract any bitterness. It could sound unusual, however Colombians are additionally well-known for dipping cheese of their scorching chocolate – which you’ll or might not wish to attempt.

One other factor that’s essential to know is that Colombia has been utilizing chocolate for hundreds of years. Chocolate is constituted of cacao timber, that are present in areas of Colombia and the Amazon basin. Colombia isn’t alone both; cacao has been used all throughout Latin America way back to the Aztecs and Mayans.

25. Calentado

Calentado is a staple in Colombian gastronomy and is a dish rooted in recycling leftovers from the evening earlier than – its identify actually interprets as ‘heated’. The dish was born out of poverty to restrict waste, however now it is without doubt one of the most conventional meals in Colombia.

The commonest elements in a calentado dish are white rice, plantain, and steak. It’s then typically topped with a fried egg and arepas, even perhaps served with a scorching chocolate or espresso. By the character of the dish, calentado was primarily cooked at residence. After all, now you’ll discover it on menus throughout the nation. At eating places, you are likely to additionally discover avocado and sausage served alongside the usual elements.

26. Fried Plantain

colombian dishes fried plantains

Fried plantain is yummy Colombian meals. To the untrained eye, you will be forgiven for mistaking them for bananas. They give the impression of being similar, besides plantains are a lot bigger, much less candy, and solely grow to be ripe as soon as they flip black. Of their yellow levels, plantains are good for frying, which is the place deep-fried plantain is available in.

The very best factor about fried plantain is its versatility. You may have it savory with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or you could possibly caramelize it and have it as a dessert. You may pair it with an egg, or you could possibly pair it with ice cream.

Fried plantain tastes like a potato, and the crisp outer layer offers option to a comfortable, squishy inside. You received’t have any points discovering fried plantain in Colombia (or Latin America), so attempt it your self.

28. Colombian espresso

Should you love espresso, you’re in for a deal with. This conventional Colombian drink is world-famous, and the quantity of espresso beans grown in Colombia is thrilling for any caffeine fanatic. For probably the most half, Colombia grows Arabica beans, that are gentle and candy to style, in contrast to the extreme Robusta. The truth that Arabica is a bit weaker than Robusta might be factor, although, since, in Colombian espresso tradition, it’s drunk most from late afternoon to early night. Not from the morning to early afternoons like within the US and Europe.

A good way to expertise Colombian is to go espresso tasting. And if you wish to go espresso tasting in Colombia, prioritize visiting Medellin or Manizales. These areas are famed for his or her espresso beans and have varieties named after them. You’ll be able to e book excursions round native espresso plantations or go to native cafes.

27. Maracuya

colombian food Maracuya

Maracuya may sound unfamiliar, however the likelihood is excessive that you simply’ve seen one earlier than. Ardour fruit may not be a dish as such. Nonetheless, tropical fruits are such a longtime a part of Colombian gastronomy that we needed to embody them on this checklist. Ardour fruits are a deep purple on the skin, with a waxy, protecting outer pores and skin. Lower open, they reveal a tangy, scrumptious mattress of yellow seeds. These seeds will be eaten straight from the eagerness fruit or used as an ingredient for merchandise like ice cream or juice.

Ardour fruits develop throughout South America and are believed to have initially come from the Northern Argentina area earlier than spreading out in recognition throughout the continent. Not planning a go to to Colombia? No drawback. You’ll be able to attempt ardour fruit worldwide since it’s a vital export product.

Colombian meals is without doubt one of the finest cuisines on this planet. There’s a lot to attempt, so get began as quickly as doable. Fortunately, in case you are visiting Colombia, there are many meals excursions to pattern conventional Colombian delicacies – main you round the most effective spots. You’ll be able to take a look at our greatest journey suggestions right here as properly.

  • Learn different articles about Colombia and scrumptious meals of the world:

[ad_2]

Source_link