The typical food of Cartagena , Colombia, includes dishes such as coconut rice, fried fish and desserts such as coconut pie. In this gastronomy you can appreciate the Spanish, Indian and African influences.
Cartagena de Indias is a Colombian city located in the north of the country, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. It is the capital of the department of Bolívar.
Because of its condition as a coastal city, dishes made with fish and seafood are very common.
The mixture of indigenous ingredients, Spanish recipes prepared for the new continent and African contributions, have formed one of the most varied cuisines in Colombia.
To this we must add the ease of obtaining fish and seafood, which are the basis for many dishes of the city.
The 5 typical dishes of Cartagena
1- Rice with coconut
This dish is one of the most popular in Cartagena and, by extension, the entire coast of the Colombian Caribbean.
It is a food that needs very few ingredients and is usually served to accompany fried fish or some types of seafood.
To prepare it, you only need coconut milk plus its pulp, sugar, salt and rice. There are two different varieties: the white coconut and the one made with black coconut.
It is accompanied by patacones or panela is added, depending on the tastes and the occasion.
2- Red snapper fried
Due to its condition as a coastal city and the fishing tradition of its inhabitants, fried fish is one of the most typical recipes of Cartagena.
Several types of fish are used, such as mojarra, tilapia and red snapper, which is one of the most traditional.
Its preparation is very simple, since it does not present too many steps. First you have to rub the fish, already clean, with a mixture of green onion and lemon juice.
It is left to rest for a few minutes, and then it only remains to flour it and fry it in hot oil. It is usually served with patacones and salad.
3- Fish stew
The sancocho is a dish that is made throughout Colombia with different ingredients, depending on the region.
It has its origin in a recipe brought by the Spanish, who traditionally prepared it with different meats. In Cartagena the main ingredient is fish.
It is a very nutritious and complete meal. Usually it is prepared with bocachico fish, and in addition it takes potatoes, cassava, tomato, banana and other vegetables and legumes.
4- Mote of cheese
Although its origin seems to be found in the territories that inhabited the zenúes, the nickname of cheese has become the most typical soup of Cartagena.
In the recipe that is elaborated in this city there are small differences with the one made in other parts of the Caribbean region.
The base of this food is the yam, a plant similar to the sweet potato. It is also essential hard coastal cheese, coconut juice or atoyabuey serum. Finally, just add lemon, onion and garlic.
5- Coconut foot
The desserts are also very important in the gastronomy of Cartagena. One of the most traditional is the coconut foot. It can be obtained in restaurants, houses and in numerous street stalls.
The normal thing in the city is to cook the coconut using its own water, to which sugar is added.
After it has caramelized a little, add egg yolk and condensed milk. The last step is to bake the mixture until it is crispy and golden.
References
- Tourist guides of Colombia. Gastronomy of Cartagena. Retrieved from guiatodo.com.co
- Sasson, Harry. A heroic dessert (October 17, 2009). Retrieved from elespectador.com
- Cartagena Connetions. Cartagena Food: Top Local Dishes to Try. Retrieved from cartagenaconnections.com
- Food and Wine Cartagena in 10 Plates. Retrieved from foodandwine.com
- Collins, Beth. The Best Food in Cartagena: A Dish-by-Dish Tour. Retrieved from frommers.com