Nothing gives a sense of place so much as food. What food is naturally available in a region, and how do the people of use that food to nourish themselves? What’s a special treat versus everyday fare.?
Here in Granada, Tostones con Queso is ubiquitous. On my first visit here, I kept ordering this dish accidentally. In my mind, tostones was tasty toast, and queso referred to the cheese I know and love from the states, not the thick and salty squares of fried cheese that landed in front of me each time I ordered the dish. “Oh this again,” I would sigh to my friend, unenthusiastically picking up a tasteless round of fried plantain.