From September 15 to October 15 many people are recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s a great time to celebrate the rich cultures that the hispanic community is comprised of across various continents. From Mexico to the very tip of Argentina and everyone in between, there are plenty of culturally rich destinations with an even richer range of cuisines.
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What’s so beautiful about it all? it’s that each country has a wide range of foods to enjoy and while there is some overlap, the same dish can be totally different depending on which country it’s presented in.
Here are our 10 favorite dishes to enjoy and the countries we love to eat them in. Que sabroso!
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1. Ceviche (Peru)
Image via flickr
Ceviche is popular in many countries but in my experience the ceviche in Peru cannot be beat. Essentially a raw fish dish seasoned with lemon and paired with onions, corn and sweet potato or yuca, its absolutely the most refreshing combo ever. Fun fact: While Americans don’t mind eating ceviche at night, Peruvians find the thought of eating raw fish at dinner time completely unheard of – due to freshness among other factors!
2. Empanadas (Argentina)
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Empanadas are great in plenty of countries, but the ones in Argentina are in a league of their own. They are a meat, chicken, veggie or seafood-filled pocket of dough that makes for the perfect food on-the-go. Drizzle some lime on top to make the flavors pop even more.
3. Buñuelos (Colombia)
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Buñuelos are the exotic donut of the Southern hemisphere. They’re a whole lot smaller and do not have a hole in the middle but they’re absolutely delicious. Fluffy on the inside, crisp on the outside and dusted with sugar, these are totally worth a try (despite not having frosting on top).
4. Tamales (multiple countries across Central and South America)
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Tamales are typically filled with anything from meats and cheeses to vegetables in a starchy corn-based dough. The dough (or masa) is then wrapped in leaf paper – usually banana/plantain leaf. Tamales are a great comfort food that plenty of people enjoy [when hungover] and even better with hot sauce.
5. Pollo A La Brasa (Peru)
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Pollo a la brasa is essentially rotisserie chicken – but with super powers. Peru is pretty well known for having the best of the best and restaurants specializing in this are on every corner in Peru. This is not even an exaggeration. A family typically orders a whole chicken, french fries and avocado salad. This trio is totally satisfying.
6. Churrasco (Argentina, Brazil)
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If you have ever been to an Argentinian or Brazilian restaurant, there is one thing that always holds true – meat is everywhere. Meat eaters’ hearts will positively flutter at a churrasqueria which specializes in this fare.
7. Arepas (Colombia, Venezuela)
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I’ve recently become seriously addicted to arepas and one of my favorite NYC spots happens to be East Village’s Caracas. These South American sandwiches with delicious fillings and fluffy flatbreads of goodness can fulfill every craving. From cheeses to meats, the possibilities are endless.
8. Alfajores (Peru, Argentina)
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If there is one dessert that I need to have every time I go to South America/Peru, it’s alfajores. They are comprised of a dulce de leche (caramel) cream filling smooshed between two light and crispy wafer cookies dusted in powdered sugar. The cookie to caramel ratio has to be just right, which is typically found in southern Peruvian regions. Northern South America has been known for thicker cookies, but if that is more your jam then by all means….
9. Croquetas (Ecuador)
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Like the mozzarella sticks of the South, croquetas are a fried, breaded food filled with cheeses and meats. They make for the perfect appetizer or finger food.
10. Chilaquiles (Mexico)
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Chlaquiles may be Mexican but we are noticing the dish popping up on more and more brunch menus around NYC and the US. Eggs, tortilla chips, cheese and toppings make the whole of this dish and will satisfy your every need – hangover or not.
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