National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 and celebrates the history, culture and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Every year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing traditional recipes for others to try at home. Dairy is a staple ingredient in many hispanic recipes, so let’s take a look at how other countries use milk and cheese at home!
Costa Rica – In Costa Rican cuisine, traditional dishes are made with fresh and nutrient dense ingredients. The foods found in this country are often mild in flavor and rely on staples like beans, rice, plantains, fruits, vegetables and dairy. Here are some delicious and traditional recipes from Costa Rica that you can make at home!
- Tortillas de Queso – Tortillas de Queso or, Cheese and Corn Tortillas, are often eaten for breakfast or with coffee. Though the name suggests they are tortillas, they are a bit different from the traditional tortilla you have with a taco or a quesadilla. Tortillas de Queso mixes masa, grated cheese, sour cream, milk and salt into a dough, rolls them into small flat circles and cooks them on a griddle. Once cooked thoroughly, enjoy Tortillas de Queso with a side of sour cream.
- Empanadas de Queso – Empanadas de Queso are small and delicious treats that could be eaten as a snack or appetizer. Empanadas de Queso can be easily and quickly made if you use pre-made pie dough. This recipe adds oaxaca cheese and pickled jalapeños for a savory snack!
- Copo – Copo is a delicious dessert made up of shaved ice, condensed milk, dusted milk powder and flavored syrups. Copo is a creamy and tasty dessert used to cool down in the summer or enjoy after dinner.
El Salvador – El Salvadorian cuisine combines indigenous foods from different groups like the Lenca, Pipil, Maya Poqomam, Maya Ch’orti’, Alaguilac and Cacaopera peoples. Staples of the country consists of ingredients like corn, beans, pupusas, cheese, pork, seafood and loroco (a Central American edible flower).
- Pupusas – Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador, made with masa and stuffed with cheese, beans or meat. They’re then flattened and fried in oil. Pupusas are often served with a zesty slaw or salsa. Pupusas are filling and can be consumed as a main dish.
- Empanadas de platano – Empanadas de platano are a common dessert in El Salvador that combine ripped sweet plantain stuffed with leche poleada (sweet milk pudding) and rolled in sugar. Cook your plantains and mash them into a dough-like mixture, fill them with the leche poleada, fry them in oil and roll them in a generous vat of sugar. Enjoy these tasty treats as an afternoon snack with kiddos or with a cup of coffee.
Guatemala – Many Guatemalan recipes are based on Mayan cuisine with Spanish influence using common ingredients like corn, chiles, and beans as key ingredients. Guatemalan food combines flavors from peppers, chiles and sometimes chocolate to give their food more depth and spice.
- Canillitas de Leche – Canillitas de Leche or Milk Candies, are a popular dessert with the main ingredients being, milk. These candies are soft and melt in your mouth. Combine dairy, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and corn starch for a creamy and light candy.
- Quesadilla – In many hispanic cultures there are different recipes for “quesadillas” and while the name suggests they are the same, each country brings their own take on the famous dish. In Guatemala, a quesadilla is a cake-like bread with a slight-crumbled texture. You can commonly find these in many bakeries or make them at home. They’re best served at breakfast and made fresh.
Honduras – Honduran cuisine is a fusion of Mesoamerica, Spanish, Caribbean and African cuisines using coconut, seafood, beef, corn, tamales and baleadas. Let’s take a look at some of Hondurans most famous dishes!
- Arroz Con Leche – Arroz con Leche is one of the most traditional desserts in Mexican cuisine, and its main ingredients include rice, milk, cinnamon, and sugar. This common dish is typically served warm or cold, before serving sprinkle ground cinnamon on top and enjoy!
- Honduran Baleadas – Baleadas are a very common dish in Honduras made with thick flour tortilla and placed on a grill. Once pulled off of the grill, the baleadas are completed with a spoonful of refried black beans and a sprinkle of cheese. Baleadas can be folded over like a taco and eaten with your hands.
Nicaragua – Nicaraguan cuisine varies by the region you are in, but is a blend of pre-Columbian, Spanish, Caribbean, and African influence. Popular dishes in Nicaraguan cuisine often include rice, beans, corn, plantains, yuca, and various meats.
- Queso Frito – Queso Frito, is a simple-made side dish traditionally served with breakfast. By slicing queso de freir and coating it in cornstarch, allowing for a crunchy exterior and gooey interior.
Mexico – Mexico’s cuisine is known for bold and spicy flavors, bright presentations, and fresh ingredients like lime, cilantro, tomatoes, chiles and corn. Mexican cuisine uses salsas, moles, and sauces to add complexity and depth to their dishes.
- Tres Leches Cake – Tres leches cake is a sponge cake soaked in evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and whole milk. This luscious and soft cake is topped with meringue and berries.
- Enchiladas Suizas – Enchiladas Suizas are a classic Mexican dish featuring chicken rolled in corn tortillas, topped with a creamy tomatillo sauce and melted cheese. This flavorful recipe combines the tangy essence of tomatillos with the richness of cream to put a twist on traditional enchiladas.
If you have other recipes you’d like to share with us for Hispanic Heritage Month, tag us on Instagram or TikTok at @nevadamilk.
