Costa Rica Competes with Nicaragua to Cook Biggest Gallo Pinto in the WORLD.

On this Sunday, April 13, more than 2,000 kilos (4,409 pounds) of black beans and 1,800 kilos (3,968) of rice will be seasoned, spiced, and cooked into enough gallo pinto to feed 30,000 watering mouths. In fact, thanks to the first ever Fiesta Nacional del Gallo Pinto (National Gallo Pinto Party), hosted on downtown’s Paseo Colón, all this delicious pinto will be free of charge.

Beginning at 9 a.m., just an hour before Sunday’s International Art Festival festivities kick off, the event promises to continue until 3:00 p.m. or an aguacero (torrential downpour), whichever comes first. During that time, visitors will be served with gallo pinto that organizers have spent almost a week preparing.

Gallo pinto, meaning “speckled rooster” or “spotted rooster”, is one of Costa Rica’s most typical dishes, gracing both restaurant menus and tables at home. In Costa Rica, gallo pinto recipes vary from family to family, usually combining black beans, white rice, onion, sweet peppers, cilantro, Salsa Lizano, and other spices to make the country’s favorite breakfast food. One of the dish’s most distinct variations comes from Limón, along the Caribbean coast, where freshly grated coconut is added to the dish, and its name is changed to “rice and beans,” since English is often spoken there.

However, gallo pinto is also a popular dish in neighboring Nicaragua, and its origin is often fought over. As an unofficial national dish for both countries, each claims to be its creator. But though its origins may be fuzzy, its name comes from its distinct presentation: as the soupy beans and white rice combine, the rice soaks up some of the beans’ color and takes on a “speckled” look.

As of today, Nicaragua holds the world record for biggest gallo pinto. Their annual gallo pinto event, held for the last four years on September 15th, broke the previous record of 18,400 served when they fed approximately 22,200 mouths. The record-holding gallo pinto event was held at Pharaoh’s Casino of Nicaragua, and all proceeds went to El Pajarito Azul Home charity. This year, though, Costa Rica intends to break Nicaragua’s record by almost 8,000 participants.

But even if gallo pinto isn’t your style, consider stopping by the event to check out the day’s other offerings. The Ministry of Culture has declared la fiesta to be an event of cultural interest, and has been supported by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT, or the Costa Rican Tourism Institute).

In addition to thousands of kilos of gallo pinto, there will be typical marimba bands (a marimba is like a large, wooden xylophone), mascaradas (cultural parades with people dressed as various cultural characters), and cimarronas (bands that play during the mascaradas). In addition, Tiquicia (a band of typical Costa Rican music) will be providing musical entertainment and both Cocinarte and Danza Kamuk will be demonstrating typical Costa Rican folk dancing.

The first every Gallo Pinto Party promises to be full of good fun, good food, and good music, so if you can, make a stop along Paseo Colón and be a part of history.

Click here for more Costa Rica Information.

This post's rating:

Related Stories

Filed under: Costa Rica News on April 10th, 2008