Food of the People
Like most countries, Nicaragua is a country with a rich history. Nicaraguan culture consists of festivals, celebrations, and of course, food. Traditional foods of Nicaraguan cultures play a large part in the lives of the residents as well as the tourists, who visit Nicaragua for the tropical beauty and inexpensive vacation options.
• Nicaraguan culture relies on the origin of the country’s residents. A mixture of mostly Indians and Mexicans, both have traditional cooking styles that are clearly reflected in the cooking style of the Nicaraguan people. Spanish food is a staple of Nicaraguan culture. Some holidays like Christmas includes certain types of food in the Nicaraguan culture. In Nicaraguan culture, the midnight mass that is celebrated on Christmas Eve is always followed by a large, home cooked traditional Nicaraguan meal. This meal consists of chicken tamales, a salad made of jicama and oranges, and desserts. Some old fashioned Nicaraguan cultures followed by residents include killing and cooking their own chickens and growing their own rice.
• While many larger tourists cities such as Nicaraguan capital Managua have gone the way of chain restaurant to please tourists, smaller towns still opt for the traditional Nicaraguan cultures of particular foods. Some foods are particularly popular. One of these foods are a traditional soup of the Nicaraguan culture that is known as Mondongo. The soup is made with a mixture of meat, potatoes, onions, sweet peppers and corn, among other vegetables. It is served and eaten with sides of cheese and avocados.
• A very common meal that is a part of Nicaraguan culture is called gallo pinto. This meal is not made for any particular special occasion as it is an everyday dish made of fried rice, onions, red Spanish beans and sweet peppers mixed with garlic, mixed and cooked with coconut oil. This traditional backbone of the food of Nicaraguan culture may be served with a dessert known as cajeta de coco. It is made of coconut and yucca strings that are sweetened in syrup concocted of milk candy and syrup.
• Another traditional dish of the Nicaraguan culture is called vigoron. In this meal, a large plantain tree leaf is covered with a mixture Nicaraguan vegetables such as yacca, chicharron and a cabbage and tomato salad. This dish can be served either baked or cold according to preference.
Whether made for special occasions like Christmas or just a regular dinner, Nicaraguan cultures consists of Spanish based meals that combine strong flavored spices, meats and vegetables.