This is a list of cuisines of the Americas. A
cuisine is a characteristic style of
cooking practices and traditions,[1] often associated with a specific
culture. The cuisines found across North and South America are based on the cuisines of the countries from which the
immigrant peoples came, primarily
Europe. However, traditional European cuisine has been adapted with the addition of local ingredients, and many techniques have been added to the tradition as well.
American cuisine (U.S.) – is cuisine from the United States. The cuisine's history dates back from before the
colonial period with the
Native Americans, who used diverse cooking styles and ingredients. During the
European colonization period, the cooking techniques used changed and new ingredients were introduced from
Europe. The cuisine continued to expand and diversify into the 19th and 20th centuries with the influx of immigrants from various nations across the world. This influx has created unique regional cuisines throughout the country. In addition to cookery,
cheese and wine play an important role in the cuisine. The wine industry is regulated by
American Viticultural Areas (AVA) (regulated appellation), similar to those laws found in countries such as France and Italy.
Midwestern American cuisines is a regional cuisine of the American
Midwest. It draws its culinary roots most significantly from the cuisines of
Central,
Northern and Eastern Europe, and is influenced by regionally and locally grown foodstuffs[2] and cultural diversity.[3]
Cuisine of New York City comprises many cuisines belonging to various ethnic groups that have entered the United States through the city. Almost all ethnic cuisines are available in New York City, both in and out of their various
ethnic neighborhoods.
Southwestern American cuisine is food styled after the rustic cooking of the Southwestern United States. It comprises a fusion of recipes for things that might have been eaten by
Spanish colonial settlers,
cowboys, Native Americans,[5] and
Mexicans throughout the post-Columbian era. there is, however, a great diversity in this type of cuisine throughout the Southwestern states.
Western American cuisine can be distinct in various ways compared to the rest of the U.S.[6] Those states west of Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska would be considered part of this area, as would, in some cases, western parts of adjoining states.[7] The concept of obtaining foods locally is increasingly influential, as is the concept of
sustainability.[8] The influence of the Native American cultures of each area, but especially in the Northwest and in Navajo country,[9] is important in the cuisine picture of the Western United States.[10]
California cuisine is a style of cuisine marked by an interest in
fusion (integrating disparate cooking styles and ingredients) and in the use of freshly prepared local ingredients.[11] See also:
Cuisine of California.
Canadian cuisine varies widely from depending on the regions of the country. The former Canadian prime minister
Joe Clark has been paraphrased to have noted: "Canada has a cuisine of cuisines. Not a stew pot, but a smorgasbord ("open sandwish" in Swedish)."[13] The traditional cuisine of
English Canada related to
British cuisine while the traditional cuisine of
French Canada has evolved from 16th-century
French cuisine and the winter provisions for the
fur traders. Waves of immigration in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries from
Central Europe,
Southern Europe,
Eastern Europe and
Asia has affected the cuisines of different regions. Common contenders as the Canadian
national food include
poutine[14][15][16] and
butter tarts.[17][18] The province of Quebec in Canada is the world's largest producer of
maple syrup.[19] The sugar maple's leaf is depicted on the country's flag.[20]
Canadian foods and dishes
Canadian bacon, or peameal bacon, prepared from center-cut boneless pork loin
BeaverTail, a fried dough pastry from
Quebec resembling the tail of a
beaver, a Canadian symbol
Cuisine of Toronto – Toronto's is a large city with significant multicultural diversity due to recent
immigration. As such, cuisines from around the world can be found there. [21][22] Different ethnic neighborhoods throughout the city focus on specific cuisines.[23]
Mexican cuisine – Mexican food varies by region because of
Mexico's large size[24] and diversity, different climates and geography, ethnic differences among the indigenous inhabitants and because different populations were influenced by the Spaniards in varying degrees. The north of Mexico is known for its beef, goat and
ostrich production and meat dishes, in particular the well-known
arrachera cut. The food staples of Mexican cuisine are typically corn and beans. Corn is used to make
masa, a dough for
tamales,
tortillas,
gorditas, and many other corn-based foods. Corn is also eaten fresh, as
corn on the cob and as a component of a number of dishes.
Squash and
chili peppers also prominent in Mexican cuisine. Honey is an important ingredient in many Mexican dishes, such as the rosca de miel, a bundt-like cake, and in beverages such as balché. Mexican cuisine was added by UNESCO to its lists of the world's "
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".
By region
Mexico's six regions differ greatly in their cuisines. In the
Yucatán,
achiote seasoning is commonly used, which is a sweet red sauce with a slight peppery flavor, made from seeds of the tropical annatto plant and sour orange. In contrast, the
Oaxacan region is known for its savory tamales, moles, and simple
tlayudas, while the mountainous regions of the West (
Jalisco, etc.) are known for goat
birria (goat in a spicy tomato-based sauce).
Central Mexico's cuisine is influenced by the rest of the country, and also has unique dishes such as
barbacoa,
pozole,
menudo and
carnitas.
Southeastern Mexico is known for its spicy vegetable and chicken-based dishes. The cuisine of Southeastern Mexico has a considerable Caribbean influence due to its location. Seafood is commonly prepared in states that border the Pacific Ocean or the
Gulf of Mexico, the latter having a famous reputation for its fish dishes, à la veracruzana.
More recently,
Baja Med cuisine has developed in
Tijuana and elsewhere in
Baja California, combining Mexican with Mediterranean flavors.
Recently other cuisines of the world have acquired popularity in Mexico, thus adopting a Mexican fusion. For example, sushi in Mexico is often made with a variety of sauces based on
mango or
tamarind, and very often served with
serrano-chili-blended soy sauce, or complemented with
habanero and
chipotle peppers.
Regional foods
Carne asada, thin or thick pieces of meat, usually beef, that is often marinated and served whole or chopped
Chocolate: The word chocolate originated in Mexico's
Aztec cuisine, derived from the
Nahuatl word
xocolatl. Chocolate was first drunk rather than eaten. In the past, the
Maya civilization grew cacao trees[25] and used the cacao seeds it produced to make a frothy, bitter drink.[26] The drink, called xocoatl, was often flavored with
vanilla,
chili pepper, and achiote (also known as
annatto).[27] Chocolate was also historically used as a form of currency.[28] Today chocolate is used in a wide array of Mexican foods, from
savory dishes such as
mole to traditional Mexican style
hot chocolate and
champurrados, both of which are prepared with a
molinillo.
Additional Mexican foods and dishes
Caldo de res is a Mexican dish made with corn, green beans, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and
cilantro.
As there is no one homogeneous Caribbean, there is also no one Caribbean cuisine, but one based on European historical grouping and colonization. There are two broad based or types of cuisines in the Caribbean area. One is based around Western European colonized groupings such as British, French, Dutch and the other Spanish-based like in Central America and most of South America, or Latin based. Both incorporate a European influence (s) together with an Indigenous (Mayan, Aztec or
Amerindian), and a
West African influence as a base.
The dishes made in the previously
British and French Islands and territories in the Caribbean are much more diverse than the islands colonized by
Spanish due to a history of changing colonial administration or ownership (between British, French, Dutch and Spanish), and the migration of diverse groups brought to work on plantations including Indians from Indian, Chinese and Portuguese (Madeira and Azores).
There is even much diversity within each previous colonial groupings. While both Trinidad and Jamaica were both British colonies and share similar cooking styles, the scope of dishes in Trinidad are different and more diverse due to a very different population make up.
The similarities in the larger region lie mostly in the fruits and vegetables consumed and the ingredients used in cooking, with the use of root vegetables, plantains, beans, and rice, fish and seafood being a common denominator. In the post independence and post colonial era, and with globalization in the 1990s cultural and food similarities between the previous British, still French and Dutch Island and territories were magnified.
Belizean cuisine is an amalgamation of all the ethnicities in the nation of
Belize, and their respective wide variety of foods. Culinary influences include Mayan, Garifuna, Spanish, Creole, Chinese, British,
Caribbean, and American.
Costa Rican cuisine – a common dish is gallo pinto, which is rice and
black beans. Tortillas, plantains, fish, beef and chicken are part of the cuisine. Casado is a traditional dish comprising meat served with tortillas and side items such as black beans and rice, or gallo pinto. Refrescos in Costa Rica refers to cold fruit smoothie beverages made with fruit and milk or water.[citation needed]
Guatemalan cuisine was influenced by the Mayan Empire, Spanish rule and the current modernized country. Guatemala has 22 departments (or divisions), each of which has varying food varieties.
Honduran cuisine is a fusion of African,
Spanish, and indigenous cuisine.
Coconut is used in both sweet and savory dishes. Regional specialties include fried fish,
tamales,
carne asada and
baleadas. Common dishes include grilled meats, tortillas, rice and beans. Seafood is common in the Bay Islands and on the Caribbean coast.[citation needed]
Nicaraguan cuisine is a mixture of Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and indigenous cuisines and foods. When the
Spaniards first arrived in
Nicaragua they found that the
Creole people present had incorporated foods available in the area into their
cuisine.[30] Despite the blending and incorporation of pre-Columbian and Spanish influenced cuisine, traditional cuisine changes from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast. While the Pacific coast's main staple revolves around local fruits and corn, the Caribbean coast's cuisine makes use of seafood and the
coconut. Traditional Nicaraguan foods include beans, corn, plantains, peppers and yucca.[citation needed]
Panamanian cuisine is both unique and rich. As a land bridge between two continents,
Panama possesses an unusual variety of tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs that are used in native cooking. Panamanian cuisine is a unique mix of African,
Caribbean, Spanish and
Native American cooking and dishes.
The
sweet potato is native to Central America and was domesticated there at least 5,000 years ago.[31]
Central American foods and dishes
Fry jacks are
Belizean deep-fried
dough pieces served for breakfast, and can be shaped as circles or triangles.
Fiambre is a traditional food from
Guatemala eaten on November 1 and 2 in celebration of the
Day of the Dead and
All Saints Day. It is a chilled salad that may be made from over 50 ingredients.
South American cuisine – Some of the richest food products of
South America come from the middle of the continent, the
Amazon basin. For example, the Amazon region provides a plethora of fresh fish and
tropical fruits.[32] In countries like
Peru, there is a strong influence of the
Inca empire and their
cuisine.
Potatoes are frequently grown as a result of this, and also plants such as
quinoa. Along the western coast of South America lies the
Pacific Ocean, which provides a large array of
seafood. Many plains also are on this continent, which are rich for growing food in abundance. In the
Patagonian south of
Chile, many people produce
lamb and
venison.
King crab is typically caught at the southern end of the continent.
Antarctic krill has just recently been discovered and is now another food source.
Tuna and tropical fish are caught all around the continent;
Easter Island is one place where they are found in abundance.
Lobster is also caught in great quantities from
Juan Fernández. In
Brazil the most traditional dish is the
feijoada.
Brazilian cuisine, like
Brazil itself, varies greatly by
region. The natural crops available in each region add to their singularity. Some typical dishes are
caruru, which consists of okra, onion, dried shrimp and toasted nuts (peanuts or cashews) cooked with
palm oil until a spread-like consistency is reached and
moqueca capixaba, consisting of slow-cooked fish, tomato, onion and garlic topped with
cilantro.
Chilean cuisine stems mainly from the combination of Spanish cuisine with traditional
Chilean ingredients, with later influences from other
European cuisines, particularly from
Germany,
Italy,
Croatia,
France and the
Middle East. The food tradition and recipes in Chile stand out due to the varieties in flavors and colors. The country's long coastline and the Chilean peoples' relationship with the
sea adds an immense array of ocean products to the variety of the food in Chile. The country's waters are home to unique species of fish and shellfish such as the
Chilean sea bass,
loco and
picoroco.
Colombian cuisine refers to the cooking traditions and practices of
Colombia. Along with other cultural expressions of national identity, Colombian cuisine varies among its many distinct regions.[34] Colombians typically eat three meals a day: a large breakfast, a medium lunch between 12-2, and a light dinner.[35] Colombian
coffee is well known for its high standards in taste compared to others.
Ecuadorian cuisine is diverse, varying with altitude and associated agricultural conditions.
Pork, chicken, beef, and cuy (
guinea pig) are popular in the mountain regions and are served with a variety of carbohydrate-rich foods, especially rice, corn and potatoes. A popular
street food in mountain regions is hornado, consisting of potatoes served with roasted pig.
Peruvian cuisine reflects local cooking practices and ingredients—and, through immigration, influences from Spanish, Chinese, Italian, German, West African, and Japanese cuisine. Many traditional foods—such as
quinoa,
kiwicha,
chili peppers, and several roots and
tubers have increased in popularity in recent decades, reflecting a revival of interest in native Peruvian foods and culinary techniques.
Uruguayan cuisine is traditionally based on its European roots, in particular, Mediterranean food from Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, but also from countries such as Germany and Britain, along with African and indigenous mixtures. The national drink is the
Grappamiel.
Venezuelan cuisine – Due to its location in the world, its diversity of industrial resources and the cultural diversity of the
Venezuelan people, Venezuelan cuisine often varies greatly from one region to another; however, its cuisine, traditional as well as modern, has strong ties to its European ancestry.
Latin American cuisine – incorporates influences from all over the world. Most came due to colonization and the resulting mixtures among the Native Americans, European immigrants, and African slaves. Different waves of immigration (Some resulting from wars, such as
World War II) have also had a hand in this mixture, mainly in the form of immigrants from central and eastern Europe and from east Asia (mainly
China and
Japan).
^"The birth of California cuisine is generally traced back to Alice Waters in the 1970s and her restaurant Chez Panisse. Waters introduced the idea of using natural, locally grown fresh ingredients to produce her dishes. California cuisine is... local, based like most traditional regional cooking on available ingredients including abundant seafood. Fresh vegetables, lightly cooked, and fresh fruits, berries, and herbs characterize the cuisine generally, but California cooking is also in fact a fusion of cooking from around the world." Benjamin F. Shearer
Culture and Customs of the United States Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007
ISBN0-313-33877-9, 440, page 212