7 typical dishes from Puerto Rico that you didn't know about

The flavors of Puerto Rico, that vibrant Caribbean island that belongs to the United States, are filled with flavor, music, and the lively spirit of its people. The typical food of Puerto Rico is as authentic as the history that precedes it, and we will show you this below with an unmissable list that you surely didn't know with 7 typical dishes of Puerto Rico. Currently, Puerto Ricans engage in livestock farming, raising pigs and cattle; in milk production, and in the cultivation of plantains and cassava (a tropical tuber similar to sweet potato or potato), which are key elements in Puerto Rican gastronomy. The vast combination of ingredients and its intercultural influence have made traditional Puerto Rican food an indispensable pillar in international gastronomy, and let's face it, with these delicious typical dishes, who could resist a good after-meal chat? Puerto Rican Mofongo Perhaps the most popular typical dish of Puerto Rico is mofongo, a delight made from fried green plantains mashed in a mortar and seasoned with garlic, chicharrón, and lard. It can be eaten alone or accompanied by shrimp, meat, or chicken. Doesn’t it make your mouth water? Boricua Alcapurrias The typical plantain of Puerto Rico also serves to prepare traditional alcapurrias, made with fried slices of the fruit, stuffed with meat, chicken, seafood, or vegetables, although the most common ones are filled with crab or jueyes (blue crab) and can be found in the coastal areas of the island. Tostones Tostones are considered Creole food due to the African ancestry that introduced the use of plantains and their cooking methods to the island. They are a sort of toast made from fried green plantains and served with mayonnaise or ketchup. It’s the perfect snack to share with friends or family! Arroz Mamposteao Rice and beans are widely used in typical Puerto Rican dishes, in fact, in all Latin cuisine, but none compares to arroz mamposteao. This white rice with beans, or red beans, is seasoned with cilantro, achiote, garlic, and onion and is accompanied by pork, beef, or chorizo. A dish worthy of any traditional Puerto Rican family! GuichiThe stuffed potato from Puerto Rico, also known as “guichi,” is a dish that is generally served at family gatherings. It consists of a boiled potato that can be filled with meat or chicken and then fried. Puerto Ricans prefer it well golden, how would you prefer it? Pernil AsadoPork meat is another commonly used element in traditional Puerto Rican food, so you need to know about pernil asado, a classic dish of the Christmas festivities. It consists of a pork leg marinated in garlic adobo, olive oil, oregano, lemon juice, and vinegar, and cooked for at least 5 hours in the oven. People in Puerto Rico enjoy it crispy on the outside but juicy and tender on the inside. Bacailitos The flavor of cod with vianda (tubers served boiled, fried to accompany meals) is perhaps one of the favorites of Puerto Ricans, which is why bacailitos, fritters made of shredded cod, can be found in any Creole restaurant or in coastal shops. Did you already know all these typical dishes of Puerto Rico? Would you add any more to the list?