FOOD & WINE IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rican cuisine is simple but heavy on oil and some species. Comida tipica or native dishes, rely heavily on rice and beans, the basis of many Costa Rican meals. Home-style cooking predominates. Gallo Pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans is particularly served as a breakfast. At lunch Gallo Pinto becomes Casado: rice and beans supplemented with cabbage and tomato salad, fried platains, and meat.

Other Costa Rican food staples include corn tortillas, white cheese and picadillos. Tortillas are used to accompany most meals and Ticos will often fill their tortillas with whatever they are eating and eat it in the form of a gallo. Picadillos are meat and vegetable combinations where one or more vegetables are diced, mixed with beef and garnished with spices.