Foods of Central America
I have had a few great new food experiences in Guatemala and El Salvador, so far. Most notably:

Jocote (pr. ho-ko-teh) really unusual fruit with a tangy flavor.

Loquats (nisperos in Spanish)- I went to high school near "Loquat Valley" in high school, but I had to go to Central America to taste one - and they're delicious. Rip out that silly ornamental tree in your garden and plant one.

Pupusas - stuffed pupusas traditional El Salvadoran cuisine. Salvadorans may be disgusted, but I prefer the toppings they use in Guatemala, but the actual pupusas are nicer in their homeland (Guatemalan food tends to be very heavy on the maize, and the pupusas have only a trace of filling).

Some vegetables cooked by the mother of a Couchsurfing host. Just oregano & bay (& oil, garlic, onion & salt I presume) but somehow tasted amazing.

I suspect I've missed something.

Honorable mentions:

Zapote - a sickly smelling fruit that I didn't enjoy (overripe?) but I had some zapote sweets that were exotic and nice - as if a creative Indian sweet maker was trying a powerful new flavor.

Instant salsa - while I'm not one for packaged foods, the sachets of "salsita" give a boost to tostadas.

Black beans - the staple bean in Guatemala. Not actually new to me (though the refried version is) - I discovered it a couple of years ago, but this is a delicious bean.


While I find it easier to get the food I need in Asia (something healthy, with lots of vegetables and preferably vegetarian), there'll be some things I will be adding to my reportoire - and to my garden when I eventually stay still long enough.