{"id":3603,"date":"2022-01-18T17:08:33","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T00:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bmediagroup.com\/news\/?p=3603"},"modified":"2022-01-18T17:08:33","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T00:08:33","slug":"foods-to-try-in-puerto-rico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bmediagroup.com\/news\/foods-to-try-in-puerto-rico\/","title":{"rendered":"Foods to Try in Puerto Rico"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our beautiful island of Puerto Rico boasts exquisite beaches<\/a> and is home to a vibrant culture that includes upbeat music, people, and most importantly, exquisite cuisine. When visiting the island, prepare to fuel up on some of the most delicious dishes of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican cuisine is extremely diverse and is influenced by West African, Spanish, and Indigenous Taino ingredients and cooking styles. Popular ingredients in Puerto Rican cuisine include plantains, yucca, rice (Arroz), papaya, tropical fruits and vegetables, and more. Here are some of the best foods to try in Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

Puerto Rican Foods to Try<\/h2>\n

There are some traditional and popular foods that are loved by Puerto Ricans and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

Some of the most authentic foods to try in Puerto Rico are as follows:<\/p>\n

Mofongo<\/h3>\n

This Puerto Rican delight is made with green plantains, mashed garlic, and meat such as chicken, beef, fish, or small pieces of chicharron<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The plantain is chopped into pieces and fried, they are then crushed and molded into a bowl with a hollow inside where the meat is placed.<\/p>\n

Mofongo can be found at various food trucks and restaurants and is considered one of the most popular Puerto Rican dishes.<\/p>\n

\"tostones<\/p>\n

Tostones<\/h3>\n

This dish, which is often served as an appetizer, is made with thinly sliced plantains coated in batter.<\/p>\n

Tostones are deep-fried and flattened using a tostonera<\/a>, which is a wooden press.<\/p>\n

They are often served with a condiment made from ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic, and other spices, also known as mayo ketchup.<\/p>\n

Tembleque<\/h3>\n

Tembleque is a dessert pudding made from coconut milk, sugar, salt, and cornstarch.<\/p>\n

It has a smooth consistency and is often topped with cinnamon.<\/p>\n

This dessert is enjoyed all year round but is a staple for the Christmas season.<\/p>\n

Pasteles<\/h3>\n

Pasteles are a combination of vegetable dough and meat filling and can be made with either yucca or green plantain.<\/p>\n

They are stuffed with meat, usually pork, but can also include vegetables and pumpkin.<\/p>\n

They are wrapped in banana leaves and boiled until the leaves fall off. Once ready, they are seasoned with achiote<\/a> and sofrito<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"octopus<\/p>\n

Ensalada de Pulpo<\/h3>\n

In English, this dish translates to octopus salad<\/em>, and that\u2019s exactly what it is.<\/p>\n

Ensalada de Pulpo is made from chewy octopus and tart vinegar.<\/p>\n

This dish is usually served with another Puerto Rican favorite, Tostones.<\/p>\n

Rellenos de Papa<\/h3>\n

Rellenos de papa is a popular island appetizer best described as a savory mashed potato croquette stuffed with ground meat or picadillo and seasoned with sofrito.<\/p>\n

Other ingredients, such as cheese, onions, and other vegetables can also be found in Rellenos de Papa.<\/p>\n

\"arroz<\/p>\n

Arroz con Gandules<\/h3>\n

This is probably one of the most popular foods to try in Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

This holy grail dish centers around rice and Gandules, or pigeon peas.<\/p>\n

Gandules are used often in Caribbean cuisine and manifest as small, green, oval beans that contain a nutty flavor.<\/p>\n

Arroz con Gandules or Puerto Rican rice is the island\u2019s national dish along with roasted pork, or Pernil.<\/p>\n

Pernil<\/h3>\n

Pernil is a slow-roasted pork leg or shoulder marinated with adobo mojado, which is a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper.<\/p>\n

Pernil is most often served with Arroz con Gandules or sweet plantains and is usually enjoyed during the holidays.<\/p>\n

\"mofongo<\/p>\n

Advertising in Puerto Rico<\/h2>\n

The marketing opportunities are endless in Puerto Rico; however, a unique and localized communication strategy<\/a> is needed because of the island’s uniqueness.<\/p>\n

Puerto Rico is a unique market because we see U.S influence mixed with Hispanic culture and the Spanish language.<\/p>\n

The island is usually thought of as a middle ground between North America and South America, which is why businesses see lucrative opportunities on the island. However, it helps to know who your audience is \u2013 including what they eat.<\/p>\n

Food Advertising<\/h3>\n

Food advertising, especially with the use of billboards, is aimed to reach a wide range of people and demographics.<\/p>\n

In 2016, approximately $13.5 billion was spent on advertising by food companies.<\/p>\n

In Puerto Rico, restaurants held 2.69% of the total spending on digital advertising<\/a> in 2021.<\/p>\n

Food companies invest in advertising such as billboards because it\u2019s an effective way to increase return on investment (ROI)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertising can easily influence an individual\u2019s food choices, so this is a great way to advertise your company\u2019s new food product or to highlight your restaurant\u2019s new menu item.<\/p>\n

Billboards and OOH Advertising<\/h3>\n

Gone are the days of static billboards, today we see digital and smart billboards<\/a> that are transforming the advertising market. If you’re looking for foods to try in Puerto Rico or you’re looking to influence certain foods to try, chances are that advertising will play a part.<\/p>\n

Effective advertising can help you get ahead and stand out from the competition, and billboards are the easiest way to do that.<\/p>\n

Here are some reasons why:<\/p>\n