Central America: Cuisine and Recipes

The cuisine of Central America is astounding in variety and flavor. Some of the world's favorite ingredients – corn, beans, peppers, potatoes – originated in this part of the world. And these same ingredients continue to form the basis of cooking for millions of Central Americans.

From Mexico in the north to Panama in the south, tortillas and tamales rule alongside rice and beans. Chile peppers add spice to dishes. Mealtimes are sweetened with a wide variety of tropical fruits.

Ingredients

Ingredients of the Central American Pantry

The pantry of most Central Americans will certainly contain three ingredients first cultivated here — corn, chiles and beans. Corn is treated with lime and formed into a flour for tortillas, pupusas and tamales. It also forms the basis for many drinks like atoles, chicha and pinolillo.

Peppers with varying heat are dried, toasted and ground to a powder to season all kinds of dishes. Hot chile powder is even sprinkled on watermelon! Beans of all colors form an essential and fiber-rich source of daily protein.

Here is a list of ingredients commonly used in Central America. Use it to stock your own home with the essentials of the Central American kitchen.

Breads and Grains

Cornmeal, Masa Harina, Rice, Wheat

Vegetables and Beans

Cabbage, Chayote, Chili Peppers, Corn, Garlic, Huitlacoche (corn fungus), Mushrooms, Nopales (cactus pads), Onions, Pozol (hominy), Radishes, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Zucchini
Plantains, Potatoes, Yuca (cassava)
Black Beans, Pinto Beans

Fruits, Nuts and Seeds

Avocado, Bananas, Coconut, Guavas, Limes, Mangoes, Oranges, Pineapples, Strawberries, Tamarind, Watermelon
Almonds
Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), Sesame Seeds