Glossary of Culinary Terms
Never be stumped by a Puerto Rican menu again! This strictly criollo glossary of cooking terms, common dishes and local ingredients will help you navigate your way to an excellent meal.
Amarillos
The ever-popular Caribbean side dish.
The ever-popular Caribbean side dish.
Arroz con Pollo
The old standby: arroz con pollo is the now-familiar Spanish and Latin classic that is a staple of the Puerto Rican diet.
The old standby: arroz con pollo is the now-familiar Spanish and Latin classic that is a staple of the Puerto Rican diet.
Asopao
Asopao is a kind of stew that is considered the most traditional Puerto Rican dish. Usually made with chicken or seafood, asopao is like meatloaf, in that there are many varieties and “special recipe” versions of the dish.
Asopao is a kind of stew that is considered the most traditional Puerto Rican dish. Usually made with chicken or seafood, asopao is like meatloaf, in that there are many varieties and “special recipe” versions of the dish.
Cazuela
A tropical twist on pumpkin pie.
A tropical twist on pumpkin pie.
Chillo
Chillo, or Red Snapper, is one of the island's tastiest and most popular items on the menu.
Chillo, or Red Snapper, is one of the island's tastiest and most popular items on the menu.
Cuchifrito
A fried snack made with pork, usually pork ear, tail, or stomach.
A fried snack made with pork, usually pork ear, tail, or stomach.
Frituras
Simply put: fritters.
Simply put: fritters.
Gandinga
A stew not for the faint of heart (actually, it might contain a heart).
A stew not for the faint of heart (actually, it might contain a heart).
Gandules
Pigeon peas, often the substitute for red or black beans in Puerto Rican rice 'n beans.
Pigeon peas, often the substitute for red or black beans in Puerto Rican rice 'n beans.
Jueye
Quite simply: crab.
Quite simply: crab.
Lechón
Roast suckling pig.
Roast suckling pig.
Mallorcas
The Puerto Rican Danish.
The Puerto Rican Danish.
Mofongo
The signature dish of Puerto Rico, mofongo is a combination of mashed plantains and seafood, meat, or vegetables.
The signature dish of Puerto Rico, mofongo is a combination of mashed plantains and seafood, meat, or vegetables.
Piragua
On a hot day, there's nothing like a icy, syrupy [i]piragua[/i] to help you explore the streets of Old San Juan
On a hot day, there's nothing like a icy, syrupy [i]piragua[/i] to help you explore the streets of Old San Juan
Sofrito
Puerto Rico's secret sauce.
Puerto Rico's secret sauce.
Tostones
The flat, hard-baked, crunchy and meaty slices of plantain that often accompany local specialties.
The flat, hard-baked, crunchy and meaty slices of plantain that often accompany local specialties.