Panamanian Food has always been popular in Panama. Panama which is strategically located and is the backbone of a service oriented economy shice the seventeenth century. During these times the Portobolo fairs were held by the Spanish when the galleons arrived from Europe brining merchandise to the new territories including gold and silver. With the construction of the Panama Canal the monetary system switched to the US dollar in 1904.

In Panamanian food the Carimanola is a roll that is made from boiled, ground Yucca that is filled with chopped meat and boiled eggs and fried just prior to serving. Empanada are similar to a Cornish pastry. You can find empanada’s made from either flour or corn and filled with cheese, chicken or meat. Tortillas are made from ground maize and fried like pancakes. Tamales are very popular with locals and made from boiled, ground corn, spices and pork or chicken. Tamales are then wrapped in banana leafs and boiled prior to being served. Patacones are fried, green plantains that have been crossways cut into pieces, salted, pressed and fried. Tajadas or Platano Maduro are ripe plantains that are sliced lengthwise and baked with cinnamon.

Panamanian food festivals

Festivals and traditions are prevalent in Panamanian food. Many festivals occur around the Christmas holiday beginning on December 8 celebrating the Immaculate Conception coinciding with Mother’s Day. On these holidays traditional Panamanian food that  is served includes pavo or turkey, relleno or stuffing and arroz dulce which is tamales made with cornmeal and Arturu sauce, capers, prunes, meats and spices wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled. Fruitcakes are the most popular Panamanian desert.

While many of the Panamanian food combinations used in Panama may sound odd they are actually quite good. They will combine avocado and chicken consommé with whipped cream for a soup. They will also use cilantro, mint, onions, lemon juices and other spices in their fish soups.

Panamanian food influence

Panamanian food is also influenced by its neighboring countries and they have used other influences to incorporate and create unique as well as traditional dishes. While there is no true cuisine that is unique to Panama you will find their diversity of fruits, seafood, vegetables and cereals and how they combine them to present something quite different than you will not find elsewhere.

In Panamanian food special attention is paid to the dish being visually attractive. They develop a balance of proportion and color that is quite unique. While meat is one of the most important ingredients in a Panamanian food you can find some very good vegetarian selections.

Panamanian food beverages

Panamanian food Beverages include many beers that are brewed in Panama including Cerveza, Altas, Soberana and Balboa. In Panamanian food Balboa is a stout, dark beer while the others are lighter beers. You can buy beer in Panama for about thirty-five US cents in supermarkets and one dollar in restaurants. But if you are not a beer drinker then you should try Seco which is a fermented sugar cane liquor that is mixed with milk to create a cocktail. One of the popular Panamanian food.

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There are many savory recipes that you will enjoy in Panama food.Whether you are planning a trip to Panama or just want to experience the culture in your home food can be a way to do this fully. In Panama the cuisine is diverse ranging from ultra-exotic to the familiar.

Panama food – Breakfast

To start the day in Panama for breakfast the Panama food you might have a corn tortilla that is deep-fried and loaded with eggs, meats and other good local items. Alternately fresh fruit is always a favorite in Panama for breakfast along with toast and true coffee from Panama.

The typical meal in Panama food will include meat, beans and coconut rice served with local vegetables and fruits. Examples of these include plantains, squash and yucca. The fact that the islands of Panama provide expansive coasts makes the addition of fresh seafoods, coconut and mango typical embellishments found in many meals.

Panama food – Stew

In Panama food the stew or Sancochi is made with meat, generally chicken, and vegetables. The Empanada is a savory flour or corn pastry that is filled with meat, potatoes and cheeses. Carimanola is a fried yucca roll that is stuffed with meat and boiled eggs. Tamales are boiled corn dough pockets that are stuffed with meat and served in banana leaves. All these make great main dish choices that have the true flavor and feel of Panama.

For more of a snack you might try fried yucca root or yucca frita which is the Panama food equivalent to French fries. Plantains can be served in three different ways. Green plantains are cut crosswise and salty and fried and called Patacones. Sweater fried plantains are the mature fruit and called Maduros. Tajadas are plantain that are cut lengthwise and baked, sprinkled with cinnamon.

In Panama food Gallo pinto is a rice and bean dish that is often mixed with pork and not to be confused with a dish of the same name served in Costa Rica. Ceviche is chopped raw shrimp, fish, or conch that is mixed with tomatoes, onions and cilantro then marinated in lime juice. Ceviche is served with fresh tortilla chips and is a very popular menu item.

For desert in Panama food you will find Pasel de Tres Leches or Tres Leches Cake which is a cake that is soaked in three types of milk including cream, sweetened condensed and evaporated. Raspados are snow cones that are topped with sweet syrup and condensed milk.

Panama food – Beverages

Beverages include many beers that are brewed in Panama including Cerveza, Altas, Soberana and Balboa. Balboa is a stout, dark beer while the others are lighter beers. You can buy beer in Panama for about thirty-five US cents in supermarkets and one dollar in restaurants. But if you are not a beer drinker then you should try Seco which is a fermented sugar cane liquor that is mixed with milk to create a cocktail.

If you are in Panama the US dollar is the national currency so you do not have to worry about conversion. While Panama is not the cheapest country in Central America it is very affordable to eat good Panama food.

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