National cuisine of Panama for gourmets

Panama, located on the isthmus between South and Central America, like a bridge between two cultures, can boast of a rich and varied cuisine. Nature provides the inhabitants of the country with a huge amount of herbs, vegetables and fruits, as well as seafood. There is also a rich variety of dishes that was created as a result of the mixing of different ethnic groups and cultures. This includes African, European, Asian, Latin American, Indian and Caribbean cuisine. This mix of dissimilar cultures has also been known to create unique methods of cooking and unusual tastes. All dishes are prepared from fresh ingredients. Residents of the coast eat mostly seafood and fruits, while Panamanians in the depth of the country prefer rice, vegetables and meat.

One of the most popular Panamanian dishes is called “Ropa Vieja”, which is translated as “old clothes”. The name originated from a legend about a man who had nothing to feed his guests, and he found the original way out by cooking the meal from his own clothes. Of course, the ingredients of this favorite dish does not in any way include someone’s clothes, but rather regular braised beef, carrots, peppers, onions, and oregano. Panamanians like sliced ​​beef or sausage with tomato sauce poured over it, which is usually served with seafood. Of the latter, lobsters, croaker slabs and shrimps are mostly eaten. “Carminanolas” are cassava pancakes that are stuffed with cheese before frying.

Manioc, known as “tropical potato”, is fried and eaten as a snack. Also enjoyed by the Panamanians is roll made from cassava flour, which is then filled with boiled meat and eggs. Panamanians prepare the vegetable banana-plantain in various ways: baked and sprinkled with cinnamon, cut into thin strips and fried in butter, or cooked with caramelized sugar and nutmeg. They also make “patacones” out of it, cutting them in circular form, after which they are fried and salted. Cornmeal tortilla is served with boiled or fried eggs and melted cheese. “Sancocho” is a popular chicken stew with plantains and the tropical plant taro. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In a country full of fruit trees, it is a sin not to treat yourself to fresh juices. This is what Panamanians do every day. Juices from passion fruit, orange, pineapple, lemon and even tamarind often have cane sugar and sometimes milk added to them, to create a milkshake. Coconut milk and banana and strawberry smoothies are also common. As for alcoholic drinks, the residents of Panama love rum, beer (especially the local “Atlas”), gin, as well as the national drink “seco herrerano”. In the morning, residents like to drink hot chocolate or coffee.

For sweets, Panama residents love palmiers, caramel custard, apple pie, caramel cake, snowcone with condensed milk, mango pudding, and warm banana bread with whipped cream and cinnamon buns. “Three-Milk- Cake” is yet another great sweet dish. It is prepared using ordinary milk as well as condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk: one with sugar and the other, without. During many holidays, it is customary to drink an egg-wine cocktail with vanilla and milk. Children are however poured a non-alcoholic variant. The Christmas table does not do without chicken, rice, potato salad, ham and turkey with vegetable sauce. At the striking of the clock you need to eat as much as twelve grapes, as this act is believed to attract good luck.

Those invited to dine with the Panamanians can afford to be 15-20 minutes late, but it is not pleasant to be late for business meetings. According to tradition, before you sit down at the table, a drink is poured, and before the first sip “salud” is pronounced, which in Spanish means “health”. This is followed by a short casual conversation, and then the hosts ushers the guests to their seats, and married couples are often separated. Before the meal, the host wishes everyone a pleasant appetite with the phrase “buen provecho”. Table etiquette in Panama differs a little from that of the Europeans. You can flatter your hosts by asking for additional portions. You however need to try to finish your portion. Tips in cafes and restaurants make up 10-15% of the total bill.

Most of the best cafes and restaurants in Panama can be found in Panama City. The restaurant “Maito” offers guests the best local cuisine. Here you can taste rice with squid ink, as well as the freshest, juicy exotic fruits. In the inexpensive cafe “Coca Cola”, you can enjoy both local as well as more familiar international cuisines. This is the oldest cafe in the capital, having being in operation since the mid-19th century. On the Bastimento Island, in the province of Bocas del Toro, there is a restaurant called “Firefly”, in which you will need to pre-book seats. Neat tables in the open air and fresh seafood are set up for a romantic evening. “Bienvenidush” in Pedasi will delight tourists with not only dishes with Israeli influence but also its cozy courtyard.