Here are some of the foods that surprised me most:
Lambis (Sea snails) - Living by the beach, I’m lucky enough to have this delicacy more often than others may. While it may sound gross, they are actually one of my favorite parts of Dominican cuisine!
Mangú (Mashed plantains/bananas) - You heard that right; not mashed potatoes - mashed bananas!
Pastel en hoja (Plantains and root vegetables) - These are mashed up into a dough, filled with various types of meat, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled; another one of my favorites!
Chinola (Passion fruit) - While I had tried passion fruit flavored things before, I had never eaten one whole. Lucky for me, I have a passion fruit tree in my backyard! They’re small yellow spheres filled with sour orange seeds, and in my opinion, they make the best juice.
Modongo (Cow intestines slow-cooked with vegetables) - Th is is something I could do without...
Guandules (Pigeon peas) - This is another one of my favorites! It is best cooked with coconut milk and served over rice.
Sancocho - A Dominican favorite!
