Learning New Foods in Costa Rica

I am having a ball discovering new foods here. There is broccoli, rice, beans, lettuce (not Iceberg) and potatoes but not much else I recognize. Luckily, many of my friends have lived here for a while, and they know what everything is. Plus my Tico friends have been helpful, too.

Fruit....Anyone know what this is?

When I first saw it I thought it was so interesting and I loved the color, but I could not imagine how you would eat it much less if it was fruit or vegetable. This is a Mamon Chino. A delicious fruit! It is very easy to peel and the reward is delicious! This fruit is very sweet. It reminds me of a sweet plum. I had seen them on the back of trucks that are parked on the street with a farmer selling his produce. I was scared to even ask. My friend, Nancy's, father taught me all about them at a party.

How about this?

No, not oranges! They are limes. When they turn orange they are ripe. They are also orange inside. The smell on the rind is amazing! Just a bowl on the table makes the whole room smell wonderful.

Now for biggest surprise of all. I actually cooked. For a girl that used her oven for a place to store paint for years this was a big step! My friend, Randy, has a man that comes to their neighborhood with shrimp and fish fresh out of the ocean. I put my order in, and I was not disappointed. These shrimp are huge. Not to mention 1 Kilo was only $30.00. That is almost 2 1/2 lbs. fresh from the ocean. I cooked a few, went outside and picked a lime from my tree to squeeze in the butter and over the shrimp. Delish!!!! You may still want to wait a while before letting me cook for you though. Learning!

There is a special advantage to living with your doors and windows open. Number one, the people of Costa Rica are the warmest most thoughtful people you will ever meet. This weekend I was in my house and heard, Julie, my neighbors housekeeper yelling my name. I walked out and she was standing there with a fresh made Cheese Empanada in her hand for me! She had just finished cooking a snack for the family. It was so tasty with a glass of the fresh squeezed orange juice I had just made!

Pura Vida!