Central American Recipes
7 recipes found
Crispy Potato Quesadillas
Despite what many people think, quesadillas don’t always have cheese. In Mexico City, you can order a “quesadilla sin queso” with a variety of fillings, highlighting the regional debate around what constitutes a true quesadilla. This version embraces both worlds: It contains cheese, but it’s melted into a hearty potato and pea filling that makes these quesadillas more satisfying as a complete meal. The quick slaw on top, inspired by curtido (a vinegary cabbage salad popular throughout Central America), balances the richness of the quesadillas and provides a nice spicy crunch. If you have any slaw left over, it keeps for up to four days in the refrigerator and is versatile enough to serve with plain rice or grilled meat or fish throughout the week.
Arroz con Maiz y Crema (Cheesy Rice Casserole With Corn)
Sandra A. Gutierrez, the author of “Latinísimo: Home Recipes from the 21 Countries of Latin America” (Knopf, 2023), was born in Philadelphia and raised by her Guatemalan parents in their home country. This recipe, a classic from Guatemala City where she lived, has been made since the 1950s, when mayonnaise started gaining popularity in Latin America as it became available in grocery stores. Ms. Gutierrez says the dish is typically enjoyed alongside buffet dinners with roast chicken or beef tenderloin. A satisfyingly easy side dish that is rich, cheesy and tangy, this casserole can be prepared and assembled in advance, or easily halved for a smaller crowd.
Curtido
Often served alongside pupusas, curtido is quick to assemble, but aged over three days so the shock of pink cabbage can develop high notes and deep flavor. Transfer your finished curtido to clean jars, which make it easy to store and give away to friends.
Mushroom Ceviche
Cheese Pupusas
Cheese pupusas — stuffed, griddled masa cakes — and their accompanying slaw, curtido, are quintessential Salvadoran street foods. This recipe is adapted from Janet Lainez, who has been making them for homesick Latinos every summer at the Red Hook Ball Fields for nearly 25 years. She likes to use mozzarella rather than Salvadoran cheese — preferably Polly-O, established in Brooklyn, 1899.
Ceviche Verde With Tostadas and Avocado
Costa Rican Coleslaw
Here is a version of a recipe I learned from Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby, in their indispensable guide to beachfront cooking, ‘‘Let the Flames Begin.’’ It has been central in my summer cooking repertory for more than a decade. Opinions may vary on the idea of hearts of palm and avocado in a coleslaw, but only until this dish is eaten.