Welcome back! After living in Costa Rica for the better part of a year, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite Costa Rican dishes with you. Trying local cuisine while traveling is an interest of mine. Since I'm a vegetarian, the dishes I will be sharing are plant based but those who aren't vegetarians, will find an array of delicious dishes in Costa Rica as well.
1. Vegetarian Casado
The Casado is a traditional Costa Rican meal that brings the favorite foods of the country together. A typical Casado will have rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and a choice of protein. When I order a vegetarian Casado, I am usually offered vegetables, eggs, and/or cheese. One of our favorite restaurants in Monteverde, Sabor Tico, offers the best vegetarian Casado.
2. Arroz Vegetariano
Arroz (rice) con pollo or chicken, is one of the most popular Costa Rican dishes and Dan's personal favorite. For those who would prefer no meat, I highly recommend arroz vegetariano. The rice combined with the fresh veggies along with a side salad or french fries makes for a perfect meal.
3. Chifrijo Vegetariano
A Chifrijo is another traditional Costa Rican dish. It is made by layering white rice, beans, chicharron pork pieces, pico de gallo, and tortilla chips. Our school cook makes incredible chifrijos. For me and other vegetarians, she will substitute the chicharron for avocado or a fresh vegetable. This is another meal that is tasty and filling for meat eaters and non-meat eaters alike.
4. Breakfast Casado
A Breakfast Casado is a great choice for the most important meal of the day. Complete with eggs, rice and beans, a tortilla or two with natilla (similar to sour cream), fresh fruit, plantains, and a choice of protein, you will have all of the food groups sitting on your plate. Don't worry- on this occasion they gave me bacon but I gave it to Dan and he happily accepted the offer.
5. Smoothie Bowls and Batidos Naturales
While smoothie bowls are not necessarily a Costa Rican traditional dish, I have had some of the best ones here. I think a huge reason why they are so good is because of the fresh fruit available here. Additionally, Dan and I usually order batidos naturales while out to eat. These are basically smoothies and you can choose from a variety of fruit. My favorite is pina or pineapple while Dan's is mora or blackberry.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed learning more about the Costa Rican traditional dishes that I love.
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