The cuisine of Colombia - South America

The foods of Colombia

Colombian cuisine is a compound of the culinary traditions of the six main regions within the country (Pacific, Amazonian, Andean, Orinoco, Caribbean, and Insular). Colombian cuisine varies regionally and is particularly influenced by Indigenous Colombian, Spanish, and African cuisines, with slight Arab influence in some regions. Furthermore, being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Colombia has one of the widest variety of available ingredients depending on the region.
Arepa
there is nothing more Colombian than the arepa. A circular bread made from fresh cornmeal, arepas are the foundations of many meals, and often times they’re eaten alone.
Bandeja Paisa
Colombia’s national dish, without a doubt, is the bandeja paisa. Reigning from the Antioquia region (where Medellín is located, and where natives are referred to as paisas), the bandeja paisa is a feast that is not for the faint-hearted. On one plate you’ll normally find steak, ground beef, chicharrones, rice, beans, an egg, avocado, an arepa, and plantains.
Buñuelos
Another popular street food and an unmissable staple during the holiday months of November and December, buñuelos can best be described as fried dough balls that are somehow simultaneously sweet and savory. You can find some filled with cheese, but the Colombian version is fairly plain and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Cazuela de Mariscos
With coastlines along the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, you’d imagine that Colombia knows a thing or two about seafood cuisine The cazuela de mariscos is a thick, hearty soup that can include lobster, shrimp, white fish, and vegetables, all bathed in a broth of creamy coconut milk. It’s considered to be an aphrodisiac, but we’ll leave it up to you to see if the facts hold true
Leonor Espinosa, chef-owner of Leo and Misia in Bogotá and recently crowned Latin America's Best Female Chef, said: “Colombia is the country of wrapped dishes. There are over 60 different leaves used to preserve, wrap and cook different ingredients. Working and cooking with leaves is wonderful and it’s something not everyone knows about.”

The types of Cuisines in Colombia are influenced by:

The regional cuisine

Appetizer recipes coming soon

Main recipes

Empanadas Turkey fajitas Side dishes recipes coming soon

Dessert recipes

Buñuelos

Buñuelos Empanadas Turkey fajitas

Spain - See the recipes

Appetizer recipes

Asparagus with orange and endive salad Codfish acras Lemony garlic butter bean dip Marinated mussels Marinated vegetables Spinach and chickpeas

Main recipes

Asparagus with orange and endive salad Baked cod greek-style Chicken and pasta salad with asparagus Lamb shanks braised in red wine Marinated cod fillet with corn pudding Mussels mariniere Mussels with leeks saffron and cream Paella of mussels Paella valenciana Pan-seared cod fillets in white wine and tamato basil sauce Pork scallopines with puree of chestnuts Rack of lamb with mushroom crust Red endives and spinach salad Roasted salmon with creamy endives Shrimp salad with belgian endive Spanish fish stew Spanish mussels Spanish omelets Tomato stuffed with creamy cheese with gazpacho

Side dishes recipes

Asparagus with orange and endive salad Broccoli with garlic Pasta with broccoli and garbanzo beans Potato eggplant tart Puree of celery root Roasted acorn squash

Dessert recipes

Buñuelos Candied grapefruit peel Coconut-almond bars Lemon tart with walnut crust Orange soaked cake Plum raspberry sorbet Strawberry and peach compote Strawberry cheesecake in macaroon crust Strawberry-orange sherbet Winter citrus compote

Asparagus with orange and endive salad Baked cod greek-style Broccoli with garlic Buñuelos Candied grapefruit peel Chicken and pasta salad with asparagus Coconut-almond bars Codfish acras Lamb shanks braised in red wine Lemon tart with walnut crust Lemony garlic butter bean dip Marinated cod fillet with corn pudding Marinated mussels Marinated vegetables Mussels mariniere Mussels with leeks saffron and cream Orange soaked cake Paella of mussels Paella valenciana Pan-seared cod fillets in white wine and tamato basil sauce Pasta with broccoli and garbanzo beans Plum raspberry sorbet Pork scallopines with puree of chestnuts Potato eggplant tart Puree of celery root Rack of lamb with mushroom crust Red endives and spinach salad Roasted acorn squash Roasted salmon with creamy endives Shrimp salad with belgian endive Spanish fish stew Spanish mussels Spanish olive oil tortas - tortas de aceite Spanish omelets Spinach and chickpeas Strawberry and peach compote Strawberry cheesecake in macaroon crust Strawberry-orange sherbet Tomato stuffed with creamy cheese with gazpacho Walnut crescents Winter citrus compote

Cooking in Colombia