“And love passes through the stomach”!

Author: Nicole Joss.

One of the earliest mentions of this quote, perhaps the initial one, can be found in a 1928 etiquette book  “The Completed Adam”. It was written by tennis player, writer, and author Paula von Reznicek (1895-1976) and her husband Burghard, Baron of Reznicek. In it, they mention: “And love passes through the stomach”! Wherever the quote comes from, we agree that love for Costa Rica runs through the stomach!

Have you already enjoyed one of the traditional Costa Rican dishes? The typical Costa Rican dish, the famous Casado is the main dish of the Ticos. Each local soda and restaurant prepares its individual Casado. As a tourist in beautiful Costa Rica, you may wonder why the Ticos call their famous main dish “Casado.”

There are several explanations of terms, the most beautiful is probably that a married man symbolizes the first course of the newlyweds. When two people meet, they still don’ know what the other likes and dislikes.

Since a Casado is the composition of many different ingredients and can be cooked to your taste, it was given this original name. Future husbands should be as well combined as the ingredients in this popular main dish. Thus, the Casado is a symbol of a happy and varied marriage.

The ingredients of the promising Casado: Spiced rice, black beans, a few banana slices, the picadillo, a finely chopped vegetable and some hot chili peppers.  Depending on your taste, you can choose between chicken, beef, pork, or fish to accompany your Casado.

And a Gallo pinto? It will be a “spotted rooster”, which doesn’t sound so tasty. Gallo Pinto is rice, cooked, and seasoned with black beans (beans).
The “spotted rooster” is even vegan! The mixture of rice and beans, especially red, is visually reminiscent of a spotted rooster’s plumage.

A “Gallo Pinto” is the traditional and popular breakfast in Costa Rica. It is served with fried or fried plantains, tortillas (corn cakes), or tostadas. The non-vegan starter may enjoy a fried or scrambled egg with custard (sour cream), a spicy sausage, or ham.

Little is known about the history and origins of the Gallo Pinto. Many Central American countries claim for themselves to be the cradle of this special dish.

In Central and South America, there are different versions with many other names. It is often called “Rice and Beans” in Limón, on the Caribbean coast. Rice and beans are traditionally cooked there with coconut milk.

Which culture mixed these two ingredients first? It seems highly likely that this nutritious combination of beans and rice was created, mixed, and cooked naturally and spontaneously in individual cultures.

Here in Costa Rica, the “Gallo pinto” has been known since colonial times, also known as “dirty rice”, as the dish is called in San Sebastián, south of San José. As a “snack,” it nurtures the community outside the home, especially at festivals and popular celebrations.

What Costa Rica can undoubtedly claim for itself as an author is a funny name!

And remember that love passes through the stomach. Enjoy your meal!