The typical dish of Panama is Rondon, which combines the flavors brought by Afro-Jamaican immigrants with those added over time to create the dish enjoyed today in Panama.
A bit of its history
It has its roots in Jamaica and arrived in Latin America thanks to Afro-Jamaican workers, who migrated around the 19th century to participate in projects such as the Panama Canal and the Costa Rican railway system.
When the dish reached Panama with the Afro-Jamaicans, it gradually became part of Panamanian culture, transforming into one of the national dishes, gaining its original touch that identifies it as a Panamanian dish.
Existing records indicate that Rondon indeed originates from Jamaica, and its African influence is due to the mixing of Jamaicans with Africans as a result of colonization.
How to enjoy this delight
Rondon is a dish full of textures and flavors. Afro-descendants who had a significant influence on this traditional Panamanian dish placed great importance on the process.
They emphasized respecting the order of ingredients, because otherwise, the flavor could be altered, resulting in a different dish that would not resemble the original.
Today, it is enjoyed in Tobago, parts of South America, and Central America.
