What's for dinner?

One of the questions that comes to our minds when we hear of someone living in another culture is: "What do you eat?" Having seen too many episodes of Survivor and Fear Factor we imagine that people in other places all eat weird, even inedible stuff.

In truth, our eating habits haven't changed all that much. We can find most of the things that we need for the recipes we enjoy. Here's a survey of some of the main categories of comestibles and what is available here.

• Vegetables. Most of the vegetables that we use on a regular basis are widely available here: potatoes, carrots (gigantic!), onions (red, yellow, white, and scallion), tomatoes (mostly Roma), garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers (a few varieties), cilantro, asparagus, beans, cucumbers, green beans, corn, avocados, lettuce (so-so), cabbage, and even leeks. There are other options in the vegetable department that we have yet to assimilate: cassava, pataste (called chayote elsewhere), and plantains (we've eaten these in restaurants). In particular the avocados (especially the smooth ones) are very nice.
  
• Fruits. The fruit selection varies more from what we're used to in the states. Bananas, of course, are a staple and believe it or not, far more flavorful than their US counterparts. You can buy them green or yellow. We prefer them in between so we only buy a few at a time. We have also gotten: grapes, apples (red and green), pears, oranges, limes, grapefruit, tangerines, pineapple, and watermelon. The following are either expensive or difficult to find (fresh or frozen): berries in general (except for a generic "mora" of indeterminate origin), peaches, cherries, and cranberries. These absences are offset somewhat by the seasonal availability of mangoes, papaya, guava (2 types), and lychee (though comparing information it seems like what is sold here are actually rambutan).
  
• Beverages. In hot beverages, of course, coffee is king. It's a bit challenging to find decaf. There are teas available but not much selection. Rosa de Jamaica or hibiscus tea is easy to find. It has a sour, cranberry-like flavor.
  In cold beverages other than water and milk, there are packages of fruit juice powder a step or two above Kool-aid that are popular. The top two brands appear to be Zumo and Tang. Horchata, a sweet drink made from rice, is available in many restaurants and from roadside stands.
  Not surprisingly Coca-cola and Pepsi products are available, though Diet Coke is called Coca-cola light here. Other sodas are available (a friend recently rejoiced at the arrival of A&W Root Beer to a grocery store here) but the selection is either limited, short term, and/or expensive. A new brand for us is Link. They have banana soda (which doesn't sound appealing to me) and a really good grapefruit one.
  
• Dairy. Milk is available in whole, semi-descremada (like 2%), and descremada (skim or 0.5%). A local university, Zamorano, has quite an extensive and reputable dairy operation. Yogurt is available. Cheese is another matter. Mozzarella is expensive and the Cheddar is not great. We do like quesillo which is a fresh cheese somewhat reminiscent of cheese curd (it squeaks!). Our other cheese favorite is the unremarkably named queso amarillo or "yellow cheese." It reminds me of Edam. Crema is a local product that has the consistency somewhere between yogurt and sour cream. It has a milder flavor than sour cream. It is often put on beans. Eggs are common, though they seem to have a stronger (not necessarily bad) flavor.
  
• Meat. Meat has been more of a challenge. Most of what we buy we get from PriceSmart the local Sam's Club subsidiary. Though we like our grocery store a lot, the meat section just doesn't speak to us. Or rather, it speaks to us but what it says is not encouraging. Consequently, we eat mostly chicken (purchased in packages similar to those we are familiar with) and ground beef (available in a Sam's club sized tube). 

So, in general, our eating habits haven't changed dramatically. We probably eat more beans, rice, and tortillas than we used to do (or at least Stephen does). If anything, our culinary experience has been an improvement. We love the local foods that are available reasonably priced at local restaurants and can eat as we're used to at home. It's a win-win!*

*Well, except that there's no Chipotle here!