Panamanian cuisine is a blend of different influences that came first with the arrival of the Spaniards and later with the influx of people who came to build the Canal. As foreigners arrived, they adapted their recipes to local ingredients in Panama.
Tradition at the table
The most traditional guachos are those made with seafood and another with pork feet, the latter with more Afro-Caribbean influence. Of course, each household has its own variation.
Guachos made with pork typically also include beans and rice. Those made with seafood or chicken tend to include rice, cassava, and/or yams.
Each guacho begins with a sofrito. Panamanian sofrito includes culantro, which has a stronger flavor than cilantro and is used in smaller quantities.
How to serve it
This seafood guacho is served with sofrito as well, so it’s best to set aside some before adding the rest of the ingredients to make the stew.
Panamanian cuisine is characterized by the high consumption of rice in various forms and preparations. Other common ingredients are corn, plantains, chicken, beef, fish, and seafood.
You’ll be surprised at how easy and quick this Panamanian seafood stew is to prepare. It’s also great for entertaining since you can make the sofrito a day in advance.
If you love fish and seafood, you’ll want to check out these soup and stew recipes, which are comforting ways to serve seafood during the colder months.
