Last Updated on March 26, 2020 by Chef Mireille
N is for Nicaragua…
Many people who are old enough to remember probably remember Nicaragua due to the Iran Contra Affair when for weeks on end all we saw on television were senate hearings on the issue of America covertly selling arms to Iran for them to be channeled to the rebels in Nicaragua fighting against the Sandinista government. Since it’s independence, Nicaragua was plagued with political unrest, corruption and violence. This started to change when the first female president was elected in 1990.
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American isthmus, the thin strip of land that connects North America to South America. Nicaragua is a multi ethnic country consisting of indigenous tribes, Europeans, Africans, Asians and people of Middle Eastern decent. Although the official language is Spanish, the tribes on the Eastern coast speak their own tribal languages. Due to its multi ethnic culture, Nicaragua is rich in the areas of art, dance and literature. Several music forms popular in other Latin countries like cumbia, bachata, merengue and salsa are just as popular here. Additionally, native tribes have their own traditional dances.
Although rich in culture, Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America with the majority of the population living on less than $2 a day. Agriculture is the primary occupation of most people, however, in recent years tourism has increased which has led to some growth in the Nicaraguan economy. Tourism is now the second largest industry in the country, experiencing a 300% growth in the last 10 years. Due to their diverse climate, it is especially appealing for surfers and ecotourism. Many American expats also now live in Nicaragua as they can enjoy a relaxed life with a low cost of living.
Mestizaje dance in traditional tribal Nicaraguan wear Photo Source: wikipedia |
Nicaraguan cuisine is very similar to other central American countries with beans and tamales forming the backbone of their meals.
Pinolillo is one of the most favorite beverages of Nicaraguans. You can buy the instant mix in markets like Mi Tierra, but how about trying this version yourself at home? I was really lucky in that a family friend had just come back from a visit home to the Caribbean and had brought some fresh cacao for my Mom, which she shared with me. I was able to use it and really make a traditional version of this drink.
Also known as pinol, pinolillo is traditionally served in the gourd like shell of the fruits of the native jicara tree. Cups are carved out of the fruit shells and are hand carved with native flowers and beautiful scenes of the Nicaraguan countryside.
To accompany pinolillo, I made maduros – baked sweet plantains – yes my plantain obsession is never ending…Nicaraguan Maduro Plantain Dessert
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup white cornmeal
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup fresh cacao, grated (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Using the medium fine side of a box grater, grate the cacao
In a dry skillet, toast the cornmeal until golden and fragrant.
Transfer to a blender with all of the other ingredients and mix well.
Chill or serve over ice.
Notes:
a little piquin chile is sometimes added for an extra kick
it can be made with either milk or water and I even came across a version with coconut milk
it is always served chilled
the sediment left in the bottom of the cup is eaten with a spoon
Pinolillo Sediment |
Nicaragua isn’t the only country to have a cornmeal based beverage – take a look at my recipe for Haitian Acasan here for a different version.
Although I don’t have gourd shell mugs, I thought these were a close replica which I picked up at my neighborhood’s annual yard sale day, when everyone cleans out their closets and basements to sell for a few dollars things that are just collecting dust.
For a unique tea time treat, try this combination. See here for Maduros recipe.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 44
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Chef Mireille
Priya Suresh
Pinolillo, makes me drool, i can have this beverage chilled as the weather is suddenly too hot here.
Varadas Kitchen
Cool drink! Interesting recipe with the cornmeal.
Usha Rao
Wonderful drink with cornmeal. Those mugs are nice pick from a yard sale.
vaishali sabnani
I loved reading this post, since I didn't know much about this country. Like the drink, something I can't imagine and nice clicks too.
Pavani N
Lovely post and what an interesting drink Mir.
Manjula Bharath
wow the drink looks yummy , wonderfully made with cornmeal 🙂 Very interesting write up Mir ..
Srivalli
Such an interesting post Mir, got to know so much from your history notes…:)..Can you please put up a fresh cacao pic?..Want to see how it looks..the drink sounds so delicious !
Chef Mireille
the first photo in the collage is the cacao
Sapana Behl
Very nice write up , love reading it. The cocoa cornmeal drink looks wondeful..
The Pumpkin Farm
new recipe and beautiful write up to introduce this country.
Harini-Jaya R
Very nicely written Mir. The beverage sounds very flavorful.
Archana Potdar
Beautiful post. I loved it. Delicious beverage.
Gayathri Kumar
Mir you are an encyclopedia of various countries. You explain it so noce. This corn meal based looks great…
Priya Srinivasan
Interesting Drink ! That cup looks very cute!
Padmajha PJ
The drink sounds delicious Mir.I would love to have this with coconut milk with a hint of heat from the chili…And love your cup as well.