| Puerto Rican food is a mixture of African, Taino, and | | | | which is quite popular, as well as other chicken dishes |
| Spanish influences. They have their own take on | | | | like sour chicken or broiled chicken. A Spanish-inspired |
| creole food, which they call cocina criolla. This cooking | | | | omelet with potatoes and onions is called the Tortilla |
| style is not only popular with locals; tourists also | | | | Espanola. Puerto Rican meals are also known for its |
| frequent Puerto Rico to experience authentic creole | | | | extensive use of beef tongue, brains, and kidneys. |
| dishes, as well. | | | | Interestingly, daily Puerto Rico dining normally includes |
| The country of Puerto Rico has different types of | | | | appetizers. Some appetizers that are favorites of |
| dishes that have become part of the locals' daily diet. | | | | locals are empanadillas or turnovers with crab or |
| One is called pastelon de carne, which is a pie made | | | | lobster filling, and bacalaitos or crispy fritters made with |
| of meat such as ham and/or pork. You can buy these | | | | cod. They also serve soup like sopon de pescado, |
| at restaurants and shops lining the streets, and some | | | | which is fish soup, and sopon de pollo con arroz, or |
| creative cooks have even placed a Puerto Rican flag | | | | chicken rice soup. Then there's the asopao, the most |
| on top of it as décor. Another favorite is carne | | | | traditional appetizer, made with chicken, peppers, |
| frita con cebolla, which is made up of beef and onions. | | | | onions, garlic, tomatoes, and pimientos. |
| Then there's chicken with rice, or Arroz con pollo, | | | | |