For example, cas is a fruit that is similar to guava, and very popular here. Papaya is also readily available, and delicious.
The traditional lunch here is referred to as casado, which literally translates to "married". A typical casado consists of rice and beans, fried plantains, some kind of protein, and a salad. They also often include cheese or a tortilla. Many local restaurants, called sodas, serve casado daily and have different options, so you can customize your meal.
One time, my host family ordered food from a restaurant to the house, and I got to try chifrijo. This is a dish with rice and beans topped with crispy fried pork, or chicharron, and pico de gallo (salsa). Arroz con pollo is another popular dish that I have eaten at home, consisting of chicken and corn mixed into rice. I’ve heard that this is a popular dish at parties because it is easy to make for a large group. I also got to try tortillas con queso. When I first heard the name of this dish, I was imagining a quesadilla, but instead the cheese is incorporated into the tortilla dough and cooked together to create a gooey, delicious treat.
Something I haven’t tried yet, but really want to, is a caldosa. This is a bag of chips (usually a brand called Picaritas) with ceviche (seafood medley) added to the bag. Kind of like a walking taco, but with seafood! I have never tried ceviche before, and have learned that there can be many regional variations. I'm excited to continue exploring the local cuisine in the next few months.
