EST. 2011 BY LIZ RUEVEN
La Frutteria In Costa Rica & Fried Plantains

La Frutteria In Costa Rica & Fried Plantains

While in Costa Rica last week, the directions I received to the closest frutteria went something like this, “Stay on the paved road. Follow all of the twists and turns until you see it on your left. If you find yourself on a dirt road get back on the paved one.”

After a few bumpy miles, we hit the frutteria and the food portion of our adventure began.

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We rarely stay in hotels anymore. We prefer to have a kitchen where we can prepare our own food with whatever tempts us at the local markets.  For kosher keepers, vegetarians and anyone else with sensitivities or preferences, this can be a perfect solution to the maddening and endless questions you find yourselves posing three times a day when dining out on vacation.

You know what I mean.

kosher chicken in Costa Rica (1)

Kosher in Costa Rica? I found the country’s only kosher mart in San Jose, the capital city, a 5 hour drive from where we were  crashing on a beach on the northern Pacific coast. We arranged to have kosher chicken delivered to our temporary digs in the province of Guanacaste. We figured that we would scout out some fresh tilapia and mahi mahi, grill chicken for a few nights and explore the super casual restaurants, beach bars and small towns dotting the coast.

frutteria

So with nothing more than strong mountain grown Costa Rican coffee and multiple bags of chicken parts in the freezer, we began our first morning by heading to our local frutteria to check out the scene and begin planning some marathon grill sessions.

I can’t think of a better way to meet the locals, share recipes and explore the wealth of another’s soil.

star fruit

We found mangos, star fruit and avocados piled high on wooden tables. There was a selection of white and sweet potatoes and plantains, both green and sweet. Oversized heads of  leafy greens and unfamiliar feathery herbs, bottles of unmarked local honey and a few loaves of round, whole grain bread fed our imaginations.

 presenting and tastes

mangostine

Among the most unfamiliar discovery were mangostines. We were offered a taste of this little beauty. It looks like a nut with a stem and has smooth, translucent pearls of wet fruit nestled within the hard shell.

Rangpur or lemandarin

Fragrant, 14 inch long papayas sat alongside watermelons and mounds of oranges, grapefruit and Rangpur Limes, not really limes at all but a bright orange fleshed cross between lemon and mandarin orange.

freshly squeezed limeade and yerba buena

They are extremely sour and abundantly juicy with unexpected floral notes. We alternated squeezing Rangpur and fresh green limes we picked from a tree on our sunny porch each day. Blended with Yerba Buena (“good herb”), a minty herb known for its medicinal properties, lots of ice and sugar, it was a cooling drink that provided relief from the powerful midday sun.

fresh fruit

freshly blended juices

We discovered that blended fruit drinks were the norm for breakfast and after school snacks for the kids in Costa Rica.  We kept our blender whirling with cut fruit and freshly squeezed oranges and grapefruits.  We couldn’t argue with this great base for rum drinks at sunset, either.

Matteo grilling fresh mahi

We grabbed snorkels and enjoyed a long sail with Matteo and his snorkeling and fishing crew one day. They were cool with our request for kosher friendly snacks and local beer. We loved that Matteo grilled fresh mahi-mahi for us. He served  it in chunks alongside guacamole and cubes of mango drizzled with lime.

lunch after palo verde boat

On the days that we ate out, we found the local cuisine was super simple with a filet of fish (chicken or meat) served alongside rice and simmered red beans, perhaps fried platanos and icy cerveza to wash it down.  Salads are mostly chopped tomatoes or shredded cabbage. We ate more of them in our vacation kitchen than what we saw offered at any cafes or restaurants.

plantanos fritas

We were tempted to fry some green plantains after enjoying them at a roadside café following our expedition to Palo Verde National Park. Yes, we saw monkeys and gators, bats and white herons. The white face monkeys are irresistibly adorable and the howler monkeys make deep throated moans that are haunting.

SAMSUNG CSC

croc

bird

howlers hangin'

I turned to a local who kindly showed me how simple it is to fry green plantains. It’s not even a recipe as there are 3 ingredients: green plantains, oil for frying, and salt.  

If you’re yearning for a taste of the tropics, these are a great crispy treat. Follow the illustrations here:

green plantains

platanos fritos peel

slice

frying

los plantanos fritos

Want to know more? Ask me in the comments section below. Be sure to check these links, too.

Resources for kosher and vegetarian in Costa Rica:

 For Costa Rica Kosher Center click here  or email Miriam koshercenter@gmail.com
 To order in advance of your visit call her US Cell: (845) 282-3437.

Lands in Love, a 280 acre vegetarian eco -resort founded by a small group of Israeli friends, welcomes special requests for kosher, gluten-free and vegan eaters. All veggies and eggs are sourced from organic farms.

Raw Jungle Passover Retreat at Nosara April 17-23. Join like-minded celebrants for this vegan, spiritual retreat with plenty of options for prayer, study, yoga and surfing.

Congregacion B’nei Israel is the reform congregation in San Jose.

Centro Israelita Sionista de Costa Rica is the orthodox umbrella organization and synagogue, San Jose.

Chabad of Costa Rica runs a wide range of activities, both educational and social, and operates a  strictly kosher bed and breakfast. Click here for more info.

There’s a surfer dude who calls himself  The Surfing Rabbi, who runs kosher surfer camps and more.  Learn more about Rabbi Shifrin by clicking here.

For more information about the Jewish community and its resources in Costa Rica check out Hadassah Magazine’s informative article here.

12 Comments

  5. That’s it, I’m going to Costa Rica. Fabulous photos. I’m forwarding this link right to a friend who’s about to leave for two weeks there. Perfect timing! PS I’m not kosher, not vegetarian, don’t eat some of the products you feature (with wheat e.g.) but I religiously (no pun intended) read and enjoy your blog every week!

    Reply to this comment

  6. Just got back from my trip (Africa, Asia) and while reading your post I have been re-living the markets we stopped at for fresh and unusual fruits, particularly the mangoes — best I’ve ever eaten. Your trip sounds thrilling and delicious. Photos are gorgeous. Snorkeling? Tried it too! Not for me!!

    Reply to this comment

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SIDE DISH
Photo by Jerri Graham Photography

Hi. I’m Liz and I welcome you to Kosher Like Me.

When I’m not caressing fruits and veggies at my local farmers’ market you’ll likely find me chatting with like-minded eaters, probing the scene in NYC or seeking inspiration in my spice cabinet. Life outside of this blog is all about my family, tasty travel adventures and power walks deep in the CT woods or along the shore.

Please brew a fragrant cup of tea, grab a nosh and stay a while.