Cooking like a local in Guatemala

Member since 30 May 2013

PriscillaViP20 March 2018 08:46:31

42358

Hello,

Enjoying the local food of your expat country is great, but learning to cook the dishes yourself is even better. Please share what it's like cooking like a local in Guatemala.

What are some of the most popular local dishes that are easy to prepare?

What are the most common ingredients used in dishes in Guatemala? Where can you purchase them?

Is there a specific technique or a secret ingredient to master the local cuisine?

Are there resources available to teach you to cook like a local (classes, websites, etc.)?

What are the advantages of learning to prepare local dishes in Guatemala?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Priscilla

SpiralCee Member

Member since 18 April 2015

SpiralCeeMember30 April 2018 13:54:36

I've tried to make my own tortillas and it's harder than it looks! HA HA!
There are several local cooking classes here at Lake Atitlan. I usually see them posted in the Facebook groups for the towns, such as the .
The most common ingredient -- chicken! Or maybe beans tied for first place. You can buy anything you want at the markets. In the cities, there are real grocery stores. In Panajachel where I love, I buy some things at the Despensa Familiar (a Walmart owned grocery store) and my fruits & veg at the market.
I think it's fun to try to cook local dishes but it's also really easy to find some prepared for you. At night, the ladies come out to the streets with baskets filled with local foods they have prepared in their own kitchens, or they set up temporary stalls to sell soups, sandwiches, and other things. Some even bring out small barbecues to cook chuchitos. It's kinda like having your own grandmother cooking for you!