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San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua)
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Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
620kcal
25gProtein
90gCarbs
12gFat
5gFibre
250 gServing
* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Nacatamal
How to order / say it
Say it
Nacatamal — [nah-cah-tah-mal]
Order
I'd like a Nacatamal, please.
Locally
Me gustaría un Nacatamal, por favor.
Say locally
A hearty tamale filled with pork and vegetables.
Why try it?
Nacatamal is a cherished dish in the region, often enjoyed on weekends and during special family occasions.
How it tastes
This tamale is savory and moist, with a rich filling of seasoned pork, vegetables, and masa wrapped in banana leaves.
Origin & History — first documented: 1600
Rooted in the pre-colonial era, Nacatamal was popularized in the colonial period and remains an integral part of Nicaraguan cultural and culinary traditions today.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 500 g corn masa
- 🥩 400 g pork shoulder
- 🥕 100 g potato
- 🥕 50 g bell pepper
- 🧂 10 g achiote paste
- 🥕 6 leaves banana leaves
- 🧂 10 g salt
- 🧂 5 g pepper
Method
- 1 Mix masa with water and achiote paste.
- 2 Spread masa on banana leaves, add pork, potatoes, and peppers.
- 3 Wrap tightly and steam for 4 hours until cooked through.
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© Wikimedia Commons
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