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Honduras is a magical place, with sparkling beaches, Mayan ruins, colorful birds and lush jungles. And where else does it rain fish?
Up to twice a year in a small community in central Honduras, a huge dark cloud forms. It starts to rain heavily, with lots of thunder, lightning and heavy winds, and doesn't stop for two to three hours. When it finally stops, there are hundreds of live fish lying scattered on the ground. Many people thank God for the fish, and take them home to eat. While many scientists have studied the phenomenon, no one is quite sure how it happens!
For those who aren't lucky enough to have fish delivered by a thunderstorm, there is plenty of fish available from the ocean. The ocean is such an important aspect of life in Honduras, that two of the three stripes on its flag represent the ocean: one is the Pacific and the other is the Caribbean Sea.
In between the coasts lies the rich, fertile land of Honduras, perfect for growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, which leads to a fantastic variety of dishes that are uniquely Honduran.
Join us for the tastes of Honduras, from fruits to seafood and everything else this nation of abundance offers.
Points of Interest
Honduras means "depths," and was named by Christopher Columbus for the deep water off its coast. Its natural beauty is equaled by its cultural beauty, which includes the native Mayans as well as European, African, Asian, and Arab influences.
While beans, yucca, and squash are prevalent everywhere in Honduras, the cuisine changes from region to region. In the central and western areas, corn is king, used in tortillas and twenty different kinds of tamales. Rice, pumpkin, and coconut are prominent in dishes from the eastern lowlands while seafood is abundant along the Caribbean coast.
One of the most popular Honduran street foods is baleada, flour tortillas filled with refried beans, cheese, and sour cream. The national dish, Plato típico, is commonly served in restaurants and consists of tortillas with grilled beef, chorizo, rice, beans, cheese, fried plantains, and shredded cabbage salad.
Hondurans enjoy a wide variety of soups. And in a country with such plentiful seafood, it makes sense that Conch Soup is one of the most beloved. Conch is plentiful along the coast and this uniquely Honduran specialty is flavored with coconut milk, cumin, ginger, garlic, and cilantro.
Abundant selection makes the tropical fruits of Honduras some of the best in the world. The papayas, plums, zapotes, passion fruits, bananas, and plantains add sweetness and variety to the cuisine.
Honduran pineapples are highly prized. Accordingly, Hondurans use every part of this exceptional fruit: the skin to make tea or vinegar; the flesh mashed and used in pies, jams, and juice; and the green top rooted in a bucket of water and replanted.
Chayote is a gourd-like fruit that was once a mainstay of the Mayan diet. The pale green, pear-shaped chayote has a starchy texture and mild flavor similar to cucumbers. Honduran Chayotes in Creamy Green Onion Sauce is a side dish of cooked chayote slices topped with a delectable cream sauce flecked with green onions and parsley.
Versatile yucca is the most commonly used root vegetable in Honduras. It grows everywhere and is transformed into everything from breads and puddings to pies and cakes. Honduran Yucca Cake with Sweet Milk Sauce is a luscious dessert flavored with coffee, spices, and the ubiquitous coconut milk.