I'm Only Here for the Food!

This is part two of two of my intro post for trip two weeks ago. For part one, see above or click here.

The title of the post makes reference to one of Panama’s nicknames. It translates to:

Panama, Bridge of the World
Heart of the Universe!
 

This is usually in reference to the Panama Canal which is used for transit between Atlantic/Caribbean and the Pacific.

In my previous post, I made some intro about Panama. Needless to say, some of my points are biased. However, for this post, I will try to write some notes more related to what this blog is about… Being lazy… Oh, wait… Food! ^_^

But, before that, a snapshot of a street of Panama on a weekend.

I know the picture looks strange. Is that a demonstration? Actually, it is a political rally: there will be elections in Panama this coming Sunday (May 2nd). I don’t personally have any opinion about the candidates, after all, I am not a Panamanian citizen (read: can’t vote) and don’t have any stakes on the results. But, I am digressing…

A food court in the El Dorado, a local mall. Why does this look like a prison dining room?

Today is about the food you can find in Panama, starting with things you can find in supermarkets (I must mention that there are also public markets, unfortunately, I did not have the chance to go):

Just as in any supermarket here, you have juices

Or cookies… Anybody up for some Oreo?

Packed meat, to the left, pork loin, $2.60/pound

Just like any modern city, the produce section of your supermarket. As usual, public markets will cost less.

OK, this is the herb I have raved about a couple of times: culantro, also known as reca’o (in other places in Latin America), saw-leaf herb, etc. If somebody knows where I can find it in Vancouver, PLEASE, let me know!!!

And, of course, the food posting from yesterday… Yes, that’s a lot of food! (Just in case, any reference to currency will be in US dollars… That’s because Panama does not print their own bills, although they do issue/mint their own coins. As for bills, US currency is used). And, also for reference purposes, as of April 29th, 2009:

US $1 ~= CAD $1.20 ~= €0.751 ~= £0.674 ~= ¥97.4

Clockwise, from top left, hojaldre, something similar to johnnycakes, carimañola (ground cassava then filled with meats and fried), tortilla (rather than the Mexican version, think of a puck of masa) and bofe, fried slices of lung. Everything for less than $3.

Closeup of above with a piece of queso blanco, an unaged cheese – think a harder version of cottage cheese.

Yes, that’s a McDonald’s, or rather, a McCafé

Despite the looks, the loaf on the left tasted odd. Think of a grainy, heavy version of a pound cake. To the right a latte. Total, just under $4.

I met with an old pal for drinks. Unfortunately, I don’t remember very well what was ordered here…

But, in my case, I ordered a mix of orange juice, carrot and beet. Yummm!

Click on the picture above for a larger version – will open in a new window. For reference purposes, the coin on the top is a toonie, which has a 28mm diamter (around 1.10 inch). Clockwise, from 12:00, a melon ($1.50), two avocado (under $1 each), mango, papaya (this is the “small” version!) and, again, more mango!

Young coconut, usually found in corner mini-marts for $0.50

From bottom left to right, patacón (fried chunks of plantain, smashed and refried), fried fish, ñampi (a root vegetable) and bollo de maíz nuevo (“young” corn masa).

Clockwise from top, yuca (cassava root), fried pork, fried beef, lungs.

However, there is one thing I wanted to sort of put on the spotlight…

Wait, is that one of those 5L kegs? Yes, indeed! Well, that is not so bad, considering can be purchased in supermarkets (no liquor store required!). However, what ought to surprise you is the cost… Just under $19. Is that enough? How about these?

Soberana, one of the most, if not the most, popular local brew. Just under $0.50 a 350mL can. For comparison purposes, a gallon of milk is around $2.50…

Seco, a spirit not that different from rum. $2.50 for 375mL, half a bottle

Yellow Tail red wine, just under $7

Grand Marnier, $26; Kahlua, $12

I hope these serve as an intro to the overall Panama food related posts. See you tomorrow!