The guatemalan

Guatemalan cuisine has much in common with the traditions of "neighbor countries" - Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, but it is considered a somewhat simplified option. In addition, the influence of Indian cuisine is also noticeable here, along with the Spanish culinary traditions, which mixed with each other. The basis for Guatemalan cuisine is maize (corn), legumes, rice, fried meat (primarily poultry), as well as a large amount of all kinds of herbs and spices. In the interior of the country, examples of the cuisine of the ancient Indians have been preserved, which are characterized by the use of meat of wild animals, millet, yucca and other not entirely ordinary components.

And in major cities, you can get acquainted with local food in restaurants that are represented by Mexican and Chinese cuisine. Corn and black beans are the main elements of cooking and cook them in various ways - they make pastes, cook in soup, fry with tomatoes and spices, simmer with rice. Well, fresh maize cakes, corn porridge or just corn in boiled form can be found absolutely everywhere, even in elite restaurants.

Popular Guatemalan dishes include "Arrz-os-con-polo-chapina" (a roast of poultry with vegetables and spices), known since the Maya era for the soup of vegetables and chicken meat "Chos-caldo-porridge, " as well as "Fajitas" (again stewed vegetables with fried meat or fish). In addition, mashed beans and vegetables "Maleta, " "Kame" are often prepared - all kinds of fried and boiled meat, fish and potatoes called "Pescado-frito-con-tahadas. " For special guests, they can bake whole chicken in a sauce made with mango and spices. Shrimp in curry sauce is popular, as well as "Casamento" - a dish of rice and beans.

And, again, virtually every corner sells corn tortillas with a variety of fillings that include meat, vegetables, fish or seafood. Depending on the variety of filling and recipe of Guatemalan cuisine, these tortillas are called differently: "Quesadillas, " "Nacho, " "Chimichangi, " "Tostado" and many others. A peculiar local dish is also the core of the chilantro palm and the roots of the yucca.

For dessert, it is customary to serve various sweet rice pies, "Buritos" with cheese or sweet filling, chips, candied fruits, "Bunuellos" (fried dumplings with fragrant honey), rolls with custard or cinnamon. In addition, Guatemalans simply love ice cream and bananas with chocolate sauce. And what is the famous chocolate drink "Champurrado" based on coffee!

By the way, Guatemala produces a large amount of good coffee, but most of it is not consumed by the local population, but is exported. Interestingly, there are many recipes for Guatemalan cuisine for preparing this aromatic drink, but drinking coffee is usually weak, but very often. Indigenous people drink up to 20 cups a day and say that this does not affect their health in any way.

Tea is consumed much less often, while the "mate" traditional for Latin American countries is popular. And fruit juice in Guatemala is loved by everyone, since the assortment of local tropical fruits allows you to run wild fantasies.