Costa Rica: Study Abroad 2021

 The food of Costa Rica is almost always very fresh and traditional. The most popular dish is called Gallo Pinto, which translates to "spotted rooster," because it resembles the spotted feathers on a rooster's chest. According to The Costa Rica Star , the dish was brought to Costa Rica by Jamaican immigrants who mixed rice and beans with the meat of a rooster in order to feed the most people possible. The dish gained popularity over the decades, and now it is a stable of Costa Rican cuisine.         Gallo Pinto is usually eaten with eggs during breakfast, but we have eaten it during lunch and dinner, too. A few days ago, Flaco, who cooks all of our meals here at ABC de la Vida, taught us how to make this delicious dish. Below is his recipe for Gallo Pinto in both Spanish and English. Enjoy, and let me know in the comments if you try this recipe! In English: Flaco's Recipe for Gallo Pinto Ingredients: 2-3 stalks of celery one red bell pepper   ...

While Costa Rica may not seem that far away from the United States, the food can be radically different here. Costa Rica has the most biodiversity in the entire world, which makes for some incredible new foods! For example, the fruit here in Costa Rica are often unrecognizable to tourists because they are so unique. Below are 12 colorful, Costa Rican fruits that we bought from a local farmer's market in Santa Ana. 1. Caimito : Also known as "the Star Apple," this purple fruit resembles a plum or fig. However, it tastes quite dry and sour. It has large, black seeds in the center that should not be consumed. Some varieties come in a shade of green and white and often taste slightly more sweet.  2. Carambola : This fruit is also known as Starfruit, due to its star-like shape when sliced. It is also one of the most colorful fruits due to its bright orange hue. Carambolas become more yellow and sweet as they ripen, making them perfect for a fresco, salad, or jam.  3. Tomate de...