🇨🇷 Making Chileras (Hot Pickled Vegetables)🌶️

Summary

In this episode of Armchair Travel, the host takes viewers on a journey from Costa Rica's Caribbean coast to the Central Valley, exploring the capital, San José. The focus is on 'sodas,' small local restaurants serving traditional Costa Rican meals like 'casado,' a hearty dish of rice, beans, salad, and protein. The host delves into the meaning of 'casado,' linked to the concept of marriage, and shares how to make 'chileres,' pickled hot vegetables. The process includes slicing peppers, adding vegetables, and marinating them in vinegar, sugar, and salt for a delicious condiment to accompany meals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video showcases the host's adventure in Costa Rica, transitioning from the Caribbean coast to the Central Valley, specifically San José, the capital city.
• 😀 San José serves as the economic and political hub of Costa Rica, offering a blend of cultural experiences and local dining options.
• 😀 Sodas, small family-run restaurants in Costa Rica, are known for serving traditional and affordable meals.
• 😀 A typical Costa Rican meal at a soda includes 'casado,' a dish featuring rice, beans, salad, and a protein such as chicken, pork, fish, or beef.
• 😀 The term 'casado' translates to 'married' in Spanish, and its name is tied to two theories: one referencing working men being treated like married men by their wives, and the other symbolizing the inseparable nature of rice and beans.
• 😀 The host opens their own soda, naming it 'Tamitika Tikka Ortiko,' a play on Costa Rican language and slang.
• 😀 The host prepares a traditional casado, complete with rice, beans, chicken, plantain, and a side of chileras (pickled hot vegetables).
• 😀 Chileras are made with hot peppers, garlic, onion, and a variety of vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers, all soaked in vinegar, salt, and sugar for flavor.
• 😀 The host uses gloves when handling hot peppers to avoid irritation and discomfort, a common precaution when working with spicy ingredients.
• 😀 The chileras sit for 2-3 days to ferment and are served as a condiment alongside meals at the soda, offering a tangy, spicy kick to the dish.
• 😀 The video ends with a warm Costa Rican farewell, 'Pura Vida,' reflecting the friendly and laid-back nature of local culture.

Q & A

What is a 'soda' in Costa Rica?

A 'soda' is a small, family-run restaurant in Costa Rica where traditional and hearty local meals are served at affordable prices.

What is a 'casado' in Costa Rican cuisine?

A 'casado' is a traditional Costa Rican meal that typically includes rice, beans, a salad, and a protein such as chicken, pork, beef, or fish.

Why is the dish called 'casado'?

The name 'casado' translates to 'married' in Spanish, and there are two main theories: one is that working men would ask to be treated like 'married men' in reference to their wives who packed hearty meals for them, and the other is that rice and beans are 'married' together as a staple combination.

What is the significance of the 'chileras' dish?

'Chileras' are pickled hot vegetables soaked in vinegar and chilies. They are a common accompaniment to meals in Costa Rica, adding flavor and spice to dishes like casado.

How do you make 'chileras'?

To make 'chileras,' you need hot peppers (like jalapenos and Thai chilies), garlic, onions, and vegetables of your choice (like sweet peppers, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, and string beans). The vegetables are then topped with vinegar, salt, and sugar, and left to sit for a few days.

What types of peppers are used in 'chileras'?

In 'chileras,' hot peppers such as jalapenos and Thai chilies are typically used for their spiciness and flavor.

Why does the speaker wear gloves while preparing the chileras?

The speaker wears gloves while handling the hot peppers to avoid irritation, especially when handling peppers and then touching sensitive areas like the eyes or face.

What is the purpose of letting the 'chileras' sit for a few days?

Allowing the 'chileras' to sit for 2-3 days helps the vegetables absorb the vinegar and chili flavors, making them more flavorful and ready to eat.

What does 'pura vida' mean, and how is it used in Costa Rican culture?

'Pura vida' is a popular Costa Rican phrase that translates to 'pure life' or 'simple life.' It’s used to convey a sense of positivity, happiness, and appreciation for life, often as a greeting or farewell.

What does the term 'Tamitika Tikka Ortiko' mean in the context of the video?

'Tamitika Tikka Ortiko' is a playful name the speaker gives to their soda, combining local flair and their Tunisian roots. 'Takitika' is a term Costa Ricans use to describe something cool or awesome.