Nicaraguan Food Ingredients

Achiote (Annatto)

Achiote paste or powder is made from the seeds of the annatto tree.

Cacao Beans

Raw cacao beans are toasted and ground to create the base for many traditional beverages rather than eaten as chocolate bars. They provide a deep, complex chocolate flavor that is essential for drinks like Tiste and the national beverage, Pinolillo.

Chayote

Chayote is a mild, pear-shaped squash.

Chicharrones (Pork Cracklings)

Nicaraguan chicharrones are savory chunks of fried pork belly or skin that offer a rich, salty flavor and a distinctively crunchy texture. They are the star protein in Vigorón and are also chopped up to be used as a filling for pupusas or mixed into masa for other snacks.

Corn Masa (Masa de Maíz)

This dough, made from nixtamalized corn, is the foundational element of Nicaraguan gastronomy. It is used daily to hand-pat tortillas and serves as the base for heavy dishes like Nacatamales and Indio Viejo, providing a comforting, earthy corn flavor.

Dulce de Rapadura (Panela)

This is unrefined whole cane sugar, sold in solid blocks, with a deep caramel and molasses-like flavor profile. It is shaved down to sweeten traditional drinks and is the main ingredient in creating the syrup for “Almibar,” a traditional Easter dessert of cured fruits.

Frijoles Rojos (Red Silk Beans)

Small red silk beans are the preferred variety in Nicaragua, valued for their creamy texture and rich, savory broth when cooked. They are the heart of the famous “Gallo Pinto” (rice and beans) and are also served freshly boiled in soups or fried and mashed.

Green Plantain (Plátano Verde)

Unripe green plantains are savory and starchy, lacking the sweetness of their ripe counterparts. They are essential for making “tostones” (twice-fried smashed plantains) or thin, crispy chips known as “tajadas,” which are a common side dish for fritangas.

Jocotes

Jocotes are small, plum-like fruits that can be eaten green (tart and crunchy) with salt, or ripe (sweet and soft). They are a seasonal favorite, especially during Holy Week when they are simmered in syrup to make a traditional dessert.

Naranja Agria (Sour Orange)

The sour orange is a citrus fruit with a bumpy skin and a highly acidic, bitter juice that acts as a primary tenderizer and marinade base. It is crucial for marinating meats for the grill and for pickling onions to create the acidic bite that cuts through rich, fried foods.

Pinolillo (Toasted Corn & Cacao)

Pinolillo is a coarse flour made from toasted corn and cacao beans, often mixed with spices like cinnamon. It is whisked with water or milk to create a gritty, refreshing drink that is so culturally significant that Nicaraguans often refer to themselves as “pinoleros.”

Quequisque (Malanga/Taro)

Quequisque is a root vegetable with a brown, hairy skin and crisp white flesh that turns soft and creamy when cooked. It has an earthy, nutty taste and is a standard ingredient in hearty beef soups (Sopa de Res) or boiled alongside yuca.

Queso Seco (Nicaraguan Dry Cheese)

Queso Seco is a firm, dry, and very salty cheese that is often aged to develop a strong, pungent flavor. It is traditionally grated over beans and plantains, or cut into cubes and fried until golden brown to be eaten as a crispy, salty treat.

Ripe Plantain (Plátano Maduro)

When allowed to ripen, plantains become incredibly sweet and soft, developing a caramelized exterior when cooked. They are typically fried whole or in slices as “maduros” to provide a sweet contrast to salty cheeses and savory meats on the dinner plate.

Semilla de Jicaro (Jicaro Seeds)

These are the seeds found inside the hard shell of the Jicaro fruit, which are toasted and ground to make a distinctively nutty and aromatic flour. This flour is the key ingredient in “Semilla de Jicaro,” a popular horchata-like drink that is rich in flavor and nutrients.

Yuca (Cassava)

Yuca is a starchy tuber with a nutty flavor.