We hope you enjoy these Cut The Crap Costa Rica Kitchen Recipes and information on local fruits and vegetables. We have provided descriptions and nutrition information for produce that is common in Costa Rica and other Central American countries. These foods are generally grown in-country which reduces their costs.
Although we are not nutrition experts or doctors, we have consulted these experts and have used our own experience to form the basis for the health benefits of most dishes. The majority of recipes and foods are healthy choices; however, we have added a few "not so healthy" choices to satisfy those occasional cravings.
Costa Rica Kitchen Recipes, try something new. Remove things you don't need. Cook what is local. And, stay in budget.
Camote Sweet Potatoes Casserole With Marshmallows: Costa Rican StyleBy Nikki PageBestselling Cookbook authors Steve & Nikki go head to head to see who can make the best Thanksgiving side dish. Both Costa Rican Camote dishes were served in Costa Rica at the annual Tamarindo Church Thanksgiving dinner? The vote is in. Learn how they made the dishes and who the winner is.
How To Cook Camote Sweet Potatoes With MarshmallowsBy Steve PageBestselling Cookbook authors Steve & Nikki go head to head to see who can make the best Thanksgiving side dish. Both Costa Rican Camote dishes were served in Costa Rica at the annual Tamarindo Church Thanksgiving dinner? The vote is in. Learn how they made the dishes and who the winner is.
PlantainBy Steve PagePlantain are extremely common throughout Central America making them an extremely affordable food. You will find plantains on nearly every casado (typical Costa Rican plates), which is no surprise because they are so prevalent in the area.
Plantains can be used for cooking at any stage of ripeness, but ripe ones can be eaten raw. Just like bananas, as the plantain ripens, it becomes sweeter and its color changes from green to yellow to black. Green plantains are firm and starchy, and they resemble potatoes in flavor. Foods like patacones or tostones are made by using the green. Locals use the ripe versions to make Fried Plantains.
Plantain nutrition information resembles the banana very closely. Since you get a large volume at a little price, plantains are a great "bang for the buck" so to speak. They can take a week or longer to ripen and since you can use them at nearly any stage they are a staple to have in your Costa Rica kitchen.
Health benefits of Plantains include:
1. Digestive Health – Plantains are good for digestive health because of their high fiber content.
2. Weight Control – Plantains may help reduce weight. That’s because they are high in fiber and contain complex carbohydrates that help keep you full.
3. Heart-Healthy – Plantains are high potassium, which helps maintain the cells and fluid that control your blood pressure and keep your heart pumping.
Delicious Banana Pancakes, Quick & Easy, Gluten-FreeBy Nikki PageAvocado Tomato Toast & Fruit
Savor a heart-healthy, plant-based breakfast with this easy Avocado and Tomato Toast. Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins, it's the perfect quick start to your day. Enjoy with a side of colorful, seasonal fruit for added antioxidants.
Ingredients:
Whole-grain bread
Ripe avocado
Fresh tomato
Lemon juice
Mixed greens
Seasonal fruits
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 20 mins
Toast, top, and enjoy!
This excerpt is short and to the point, making it suitable for search engine results while still providing essential information about the recipe.Fried PlantainBy Nikki PageSince plantains take little preparation, they make a great snack. Delicious fried plantains also work great for dessert. Topping desserts with fried plantains is a great way to add flavor. Try topping your bowl of vanilla ice cream with a few pieces of some warm, bright-colored, sweet, fried plantain. Use your imagination to create some delicious, colorful creations of your own.
We typically use a small amount of coconut oil to fry our plantains. This keeps the nutrition value high and the fat and calories low.
Tip: We included the option to add sugar; however, we recommend trying them without sugar the first time. We usually do not add sugar. On occasion, we will add sugar for our guests visiting from the U.S., as they typically are accustomed to sugar being added to everything.
PapayaBy Steve PagePapaya is one of the cheapest fruits you can find in Costa Rica. It can be eaten alone or used in fruit salads and smoothies. The yellow, green, and red skin of the papaya covers an extremely vibrant, orange meat, with a center full of black seeds. Use a large spoon to remove the seeds and then simply chop into chunks. You can eat it alone, or add it to a fruit salad. The papaya flavor is somewhat similar to a melon but is not as sweet. The meat texture is also similar to a melon, but less firm.
Papaya is not only appealing to the eye, but has a ton of health benefits. Additionally, it can improve your overall health, when eaten on a regular basis.
Some health benefits of the papaya include:
1. Lowers cholesterol-Papayas are rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, which have been shown to hinder cholesterol build-up.
2. May help aid weight loss – Papayas are very low in calories, but high in fiber, so they aid in digestion.
3. Boosts your immunity – Papayas are nutrient dense and very high vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system.
4. Great for your eyes –Papayas are rich in vitamin A, so are beneficial for eyesight.
5. Protects against arthritis – Papayas are very high in vitamin C and are anti-inflammatory, so they are beneficial for suffering from arthritis.
6. Improves digestion –Papayas are rich in fiber, which aids in the digestions process.
7. Helps ease menstrual pain – Papayas contain an enzyme called papain, which helps regulate and ease menstrual periods.
8. Prevents cancer – Papayas are a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and flavonoids that help prevent free radical damage to cells.
9. Helps reduce stress – Papaya contains high levels of vitamin C, which studies show help regulate the flow of stress hormones.
Guanabana – SoursopBy Steve PageGuanabana - Soursop is a very common fruit found in Costa Rica. These massive green fruit with spiny skin grow abundant in Costa Rica. They often splatter when they drop from the trees when they are not harvested. Once you cut through the skin of the guanabana - soursop, the beautiful white pulp and shiny black seeds are revealed. The meat is juicy, soft, and custard-like. While some people believe it tastes similar to mango mixed with pineapple, or strawberries and apples, our family thinks it just tastes like Hubba Bubba bubble gum. Many use guanabana to make ice cream or in smoothies.
Health benefits of Guanabana - Soursop include:
1. Prevent Cell Damage & Lowers the Risk of Chronic Disease - with high in antioxidants.
2. May Help Kill Cancer Cells – Some studies show that Guanabana – Soursop may help kill cancer cells due to its high antioxidants levels that help with free radicals.
3. Helps Fight Bacteria - Guanabana – Soursop has powerful antibacterial properties, as well as high antioxidant levels that may help kill cancer cells.
4. Helps Reduce Inflammation - Guanabana – Soursop is nutrient dense and chock-full of antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation.
5. Helps Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels – Studies show that Guanabana – Soursop may help stabilize blood sugar levels, which is good news if you are diabetic.
Granadilla – Passion FruitBy Nikki PageGranadilla - Passion Fruit is a very common fruit you can find throughout Costa Rica. There are two varieties of passion fruit: the granadilla and the maracuyá. The difference between them is kind of like that of red and green apples; however, passion fruit tastes nothing like apples. (read more...)Maracuyá – Passion FruitBy Nikki PageMaracuyá - Passion Fruit is a very common fruit you can find throughout Costa Rica. There are two varieties of passion fruit: the granadilla and the maracuyá. The difference between them is kind of like that of red and green apples; however, passion fruit tastes nothing like apples. (read more...)