,type=downsize)
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide every year from September 15 to October 15. This is our time to boost our support and awareness for our Hispanic and Latin American roots. Honor those contributions, individuals and traditions from our past and present.
Food is a huge part of our Latin culture and identity. We can all remember major events and holidays and the big role played by delicious and traditonal food. Many special dishes have been associated with beautiful celebrations and childhood memories growing up.
Because of the importance of Latin food , during Hispanic Heritage Month, we look at 10 Hispanic dishes from 10 different countries. Let’s take this opportunity to show our pride and make these flavorful signature dishes.
Scroll below and get inspired to cook a Latin dish today.
Cuba - Ropa Vieja 🇨🇺
Ropa Vieja is considered to be the national dish of Cuba. This dish is centered around the star of the plate, which is beef flank steak or skirt steak. The steak is braised in a flavorful Latin sauce until it becomes soft and fork-tender. The braising sauce consists of onions, peppers, tomatoes/tomato paste, green olives, and Latin herbs and spices.
Colombia - Bandeja Paisa 🇨🇴
Bandeja Paisa is considered to be Colombia’s “unofficial” national dish. This dish is actually a platter of different food items. The platter consists of rice, red beans, an arepa (corn cake), a slice of avocado, plantains, ground beef, two types of sausage (usually chorizo and black sausage), and chicharron (fried pork rind). There is usually also a friend egg on top to finish the dish. This dish is a savory and high-protein-filling meal.
Venezuela - Pabellon Criollo 🇻🇪
Pabellon Criollo is considered to be the national dish of Venezuela. It is a platter of white rice, black beans, and shredded beef (usually flank steak). The steak is cooked with tomatoes and seasonings in a stew-like manner. And is commonly served with a side of corn, fried sweet plantains, and a fried egg on top.
Dominican Republic - Mangu 🇩🇴
Mangu is considered to be the Dominican Republic’s signature breakfast dish. Mangu is a very simple and easy dish to make. The plantains are boiled and then mashed to a smooth texture and mixed with butter or oil. The dish is then topped with soft red onions, which have been sauteed in vinegar. And it is usually served alongside Dominican salami, queso Blanco Frito (fried cheese), and fried eggs.
Mexico - Mole 🇲🇽
There are so many popular and signature Mexican dishes, that it is hard to choose just one. From tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, tortas, tostadas, tamales, the list is endless. However, mole is considered to be the national dish of Mexico, even though it is a sauce. Mole is a sauce that consists of blends of spices, fruits, dried chiles, and spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, and cumin. It is a general sauce used in a variety of Mexican dishes. It can be used as a meat sauce, sauce for vegetables, and is often used as a garnishing sauce for many dishes like enchiladas, burritos, and tacos.
Ecuador - Llapingachos 🇪🇨
Llapingachos are a popular Ecuadorian dish that originated in Ecuador. They are thick potato pancakes, stuffed with cheese and seasoned with onions. These potato pancakes/patties are cooked on a hot griddle or pan, creating a crispy and savory brown exterior. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are also usually served with a creamy peanut sauce (salsa de mani) on the side. Llapingachos are typically served as a side dish alongside the main course, but can also be eaten on their own or for breakfast and lunch.
Puerto Rico - Mofongo 🇵🇷
Mofongo is Puerto Rico’s most popular and loved dish. Mofongo is made with fried green plantains mashed with chicharron (fried pork skin), garlic, and Latin seasonings. It is often served with a garlic or meaty side sauce for garnish and it’s one of Puerto Rico’s most delicious and savory plantain dishes.
Puerto Rico - Mofongo 🇵🇷
Mofongo is Puerto Rico’s most popular and loved dish. Mofongo is made with fried green plantains mashed with chicharron (fried pork skin), garlic, and Latin seasonings. It is often served with a garlic or meaty side sauce for garnish and it’s one of Puerto Rico’s most delicious and savory plantain dishes.
Guatemala - Pepian de Pollo 🇬🇹
Main meals/meat meals are popular dishes in general in Guatemala. Pepian de Pollo is one of the most favorite and traditional thick meat stew. It is made with carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, chilis, pumpkin and sesame seeds, chunks of meat, and Latin spices. It’s traditionally served with corn flour tortillas and rice on the side. This is a hardy and earthy stew filled with many deep and rich flavors.
Peru - Cebiche 🇵🇪
Cebiche (A.K.A. Ceviche) is one of the most popular seafood dishes in Peru. It is also one of the most popular appetizers around the world. It is a Raw seafood dish that is cured in fresh citrus juices (lemon or lime) with hot/spicy peppers, onions, and cilantro. It is often served with a side of sweet potatoes, red onions, and thinly sliced fried green plantains.
Spain - Tortilla De Patatas 🇪🇸
While many would say that paella is the main dish of Spain, Tortilla de Patatas is actually considered to the countries’s national dish and most traditional food staple. Tortilla de Patatas is a Spanish omelette that is made with potatoes, onions, eggs, and olive oil. The potatoes and onions are first cooked in a generous amount of oil, and seasoned with salt. Then the eggs are added, and the omelette is cooked on high heat until a brown exterior is formed. The omelette is then flipped and cooked on the other side.
This story was originally published on September 19th, 2022.