TOP 10 food travel destinations
Puerto Rico
P
uerto Rico hasn’t just become a
magnet for foodies; it’s grown
into the gastronomic capital
of the Caribbean. World-class chefs
man the kitchens at many restaurants
in San Juan, while internationally
renowned chefs have brought their
brands to the island.
Puerto Rico’s culinary tradition
spans centuries and combines Taíno,
Spanish and African cultures, recipes and ingredients. In recent years,
it’s been combined with flavors from
around the world to create mouthwatering fusion and nouveau Rican
creations.
From gourmet fine dining to
58 FOOD TRAVELER | SUMMER 2013
roadside kiosks, you will love exploring the menus and discovering the
many tastes of Puerto Rico.
The first time you dine at a Puerto Rican restaurant, you might not
recognize many items on the menu.
Puerto Rico’s most iconic dish is mofongo, which is a mound of mashed
fried green plantain or yautia (a locally grown tuber root vegetable) either
stuffed with a variety of fillings (including steak, seafood, chicken, pork
or vegetables) or served as a side to
a main course. Puerto Rico’s official
dish is asopao, a hearty soup made
with chicken, rice, sofrito (a zesty seasoning popular in Latin cuisine) and
vegetables. Finally, for many Puerto
Ricans, lechón, or roast suckling pig,
is the best of Puerto Rican cooking.
Because food is an intrinsic part of
Puerto Rican culture, it is no wonder
festivals celebrating regional specialties take place practically year
round. The southern region of Salinas, known for seafood, is host to the
Salinas Carnival in April. Shrimp lovers
should consider visiting the western
town of Moca in May for the Festival
del Camarón de Río (The River Shrimp
Festival), where local restaurants and
kiosks hold tastings and showcase
local recipes. In Lares, located in
western Porta del Sol, one can sample
at least 12 varieties of bananas at the
Banana Festival. Those with a sweet
tooth should visit the island during
the last weekend of August for the