Costa Rican feast!

After the relative success of my Congo feast night last month (fufu - never again!), I decided to have  Costa Rica feast night!!! My cousins were the brave taste testers, and Kevin cooked up some meat again!

In Costa Rica they often call a complete meal a casado, which literally translated means "married," and reflects the blending of various foods to create a full and satisfying meal. There is always gallo pinto (rice and beans mixed together) which is a huge staple in the area, as well as some fried plantains, meat, and maybe tortillas and a salad. Here's my attempt!!!!

I made ceviche as an appetizer - Brandon approved:)

I also made up some empanada type appetizers with a gallo pinto and egg stuffing (confession - I used pre-made empanada dough...sooooo delicious!)  In Costa Rica the most popular condiment is Salsa Lizano. I went to a Latin market here in SD and the guy working there told me that the salsa you see in the bottle in the picture above is basically the same thing. I LOOOOOOVED it - tangy and sweet. Not Ashley's favorite though....

Yummy Costa Rican beer - "Imperial"

I bought some pre-made tostones (fried plantains) and fried them up...but none of us really liked them as you can probably tell from Ashley's expression. I've got some intrepid cousins:)

Here's my plate (top) and Kevin's (bottom). On my plate you'll see one of the gallo pinto empanadas, to its right is a salad made from hearts of palm, then the components of gallo pinto - beans and rice cooked with onions, red pepper, oil and cilantro -  YUMMMMM. On Kevin's plate is a pork dish he made. 

In a previous blog I mentioned the Costa Rican coffee I bought online from Cafe Milagro...oh man, it is delicious!!! I also attempted to make a tres leches cake. Don't be fooled by how it looks in the picture...it ended up basically inedible. I am ABSOLUTELY not a baker!!!

My favorite part of the meal was probably the gallo pinto empanadas with lizano sauce. SSOOOO yummy! I'm gonna keep buying that sauce forever!

Another successful evening of international dining! It had its good and bad points, but overall, a fun time had by all!

Costa Rica in the early years

The best way for me to connect with ancient cultures is to examine their art...so I hope you join me on my little journey through time:)

Much of Costa Rica's pre-Columbian art was functional. This stone metate (used to grind grain into flour), features an animalistic qualities. I like the parrot-like head - he seems so happy! It reminds me of the birds in the Tiki Room in Disneyland.  Anyways, this guy is 2500 years old, give or take, is made of volcanic rock, and is about 30" in length and stands roughly 15" high. I bet he's borne a TON of pressure over time - grinding grain is tough work...I think I'll pass on grinding my own flour this way for Costa Rica dinner night recipes...

 Costa Rica's natural deposits of gold and copper made way for early artisans to refine their metalworking techniques. They obtained the gold through panning-type means - washing river silt in wood trays. Early artisans would hammer small fragments of gold into decorative chest plates, bracelets, hair bands and discs which were decorated with geometric designs, animal forms, and representations of humans. They created the designs using a technique called repoussé. which involves pressing on the back part of the object with a dull instrument to create the raised design on the front.  

For figurines and adornments, early artisans would use the lost-wax method of production - first molding the figure in beeswax, then covering the beeswax object with several layers of clay, which would then dry over the course of a few days. The mold would then be heated and the wax would melt and drain out of the hardened clay, leaving an hollow space in the form of the desired object. Molten metal would then be poured into the hollow space, the mold would cool, and the clay would be broken off. After a little cleaning, touch ups, and polishing, the process would be complete.

The figurine above represents a shaman dressed in costume - so a man-animal hybrid figurine, which is quite common. The mask the shaman is wearing has crocodile characteristics, and the shaman is also shown in a costume comprising a breastplate, woven belt, and elaborate headdress. PG-13 component -  It's hard to see in this tiny picture, but if you zoom in on his...um...private area...you might notice that a snake head shape has been substituted for what you'd assume would naturally be there:) Although the source I read said snakes were fertility symbols, I'm thinking this guy didn't pick up too many of the hotties in his tribe.....

There are numerous ceramic objects that have been found in Costa Rica - vessels, figurines, etc., however their seals and stamps are perhaps the least known and studied. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes - sometimes cylindrical, sometimes flat, and often featuring geometric shapes such as triangles, diamonds, circles, spirals, concentric figures, etc. They can also feature the human figure and animal forms.

Pre-Columbian tradition involved the use of graphic elements to communicate symbolic meaning often related to ritual practices. These patterns were often used in body decoration  as well as to create patterns on textiles.

Costa Rican Treehouse Community!!!!

So, I am a huge disney fan, and I often daydream about where I would live in Disneyland if ever given the option, and I've always thought it would be ideal to live in the Swiss Family Treehouse (yah, I know it's Tarzan themed now, but I like to think if I had the power to live in Disneyland I could also have the power to time travel to back before disney defiled the treehouse with the Tarzan theme). But anyways.........getting back to the main point of this blog...I discovered a treehouse community developing in Costa Rica!

Inspired by the Ewok village in Star Wars, a young couple have begun creating what is being billed as the first planned, modern, sustainable treehouse community called Finca Bellevista. The location is unbelievable- close to beaches, national parks, hiking trails and whitewater rivers.  They began construction about three years ago, but are still in the early stages of development with about 5 houses completed, as well as a community center and other support structures.  Although most owners are using their treehouses as rentals, the developers of the community are hoping that more full time residents will move in - they even point out that one resident telecommutes from his bungalow by using 3G cell and internet service.

It seems like an expat's paradise at the moment - ownership at the moment is 60% american, 35% Canadian, and 5% European. Hmmmm, I always thought I was in San Diego to stay, but I might have to start thinking about a treehouse retirement plan:)

Costa Rican Biodiversity

Costa Rica is well known as being home to a baffling amount of varied animals, plants, and ...ew...bugs! Part of the reason that this small country has such diversity is due to its location between North and South America, which enabled plants and animals from North and South America as well as some of the nearby Caribbean islands to find a home in this small nation.  Costa Rica's forward thinking ecological policies have also helped sustain such biodiversity in the region.

Agoutis

These guinea-pig-like animals are extremely rare and are located in the Nicoya Peninsula. I think it's so cute! No gross tail like most rodents (sorry all you mice and rat lovers - hope I didn't insult you too much!)  They are known to emit a high-pitched bark when scared........so cute!

Here's a little guy in the wild:

Blue Morpho

This vivid species of butterfly can have up to a 20 centimeter wing span! Unfortunately, their beauty draws unwanted attention at times - in the past they were caught, killed and turned into exotic jewelry.  The wings of male Blue Morphos have reflective ridges that have a metallic appearance.

Crab Spider

These bright colored spiders like to hang out in trees and shrubs, and have a relatively short lifespan. I found this image on a website with tons of pictures of the bugs a guy discovered while living in Costa Rica.  He said you could find a species that was new to you every day if you tried, which sounds terrifying to me. Maybe I want to rethink going on a Costa Rican vacation....

Kinkajous

 

What a great name! These shy guys avoid sunlight as much as possible, hanging out on tree branches until the sun goes down.  Their tails are longer than their bodies and help them climb trees to look for food. They are somewhat elusive, but can be heard by the distinctive "weeeee" sound they make.  

Here's a video if you'd like to see more about Kinkajous:

Rosy Lipped Bat Fish

 

These cousins to a similar species on the Galapagos Island can only be found in the ocean depths near Costa Rica's Cocos island.  They are ruthless carnivores that hunt for smaller fish.  Those aren't legs that you are looking at - they are actually fins that resemble feet as they are used to help these guys move along the ocean floor and to attack their prey.

Harpy Eagle

There are over 850 species of birds in Costa Rica, and birding has become a major attraction. If you visit, you might catch a glimpse of some of the more than 50 species of hummingbirds, 15 different kinds of parrots, 6 types of toucans and much more. There is even the rare harpy eagle, which can snatch a monkey or a sloth from branches in treetops!

The Brooklyn Museum's Costa Rican artifacts

Ever the follower of museum news, I was intrigued to see that the Brooklyn Museum is in the midst of returning 5,000 artifacts that were removed from their country of origin in the late 19th century. Around 90% of the Brooklyn Museum's collection is being returned, including ceramic vessels, stone bowls, benches and grinding stones, that, according to a curator were not "museum quality" and were never displayed. Turns out the museum needs more storage space, and as such decided to donate the pieces. A Costa Rican cultural agency is picking up the shipping cost - close to $60,000 for the first shipment of 983 ceramic pieces alone!

The Museum will retain the other 10% of the items, which happens to be the more valuable portion, containing gold and jade pieces. The museum acquired the collection from the wife of an American who made his name in the export business in the late 19th century.....you got it, Minor Keith from my previous post about the United Fruit Corporation. Rampant plundering in Costa Rica lead to a 1938 law stating that all discovered artifacts the are property of Costa Rica.

Here's an example of a piece that is being returned to Costa Rica:

And, here's an example of one of the pieces the museum is not returning:

What do you think? Admirable of the museum, or too little too late?

Costa Rican chart topper

Here's what's at the top of the charts on Costa Rica's 94.7 La Lista. It's a song called "Bola de Cristal" by a guy named Ale Fernandez (fdz).


Nice little song and video - not my new most favorite song of all time, but catchy and easy to listen to! He is from Costa Rica, spent a few years in Miami, and went back to his homeland (if my spanish is correct - I'm translating from his website).

Enjoy:)

Coffee in Costa Rica

So, this month happens to be my annual detox month - I eat mostly fruit, veggies, whole grains like quinoa and wheatberries, some fish, some soy, and that's about it... no bread, no processed or refined foods, no caffeine. I had a headache the first three days because I'm SO addicted to coffee. So in starting to write this blog I'm pretty scared that it's going to send me spiraling. Especially since I am writing this from a coffeeshop - my mug of green tea is just...delicious.....:(

Coffee isn't indigenous to Costa Rica - it actually didn't arrive until the last decade of the 18th century. Although the spread of coffee cultivation moved slowly through the country, it eventually became a main export, and was transported around the country using the railroad (you guessed it - the railroad built by Henry Meiggs and Minor Keith for the United Food Corp!). The country has now become so connected with the exportation of coffee that the Costa Rican tax year is based on the coffee trade, beginning in October and ending in September of the following year. The most famous coffee-producing regions are Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Heredia, and Alajuela. From what I've read, coffee is widely esteemed in Costa Rica, and enjoyed by almost everybody. In fact, the government decreed in 1840 that all laborers building roads should receive a free cup every day! However, in reading some articles about coffee in Costa Rica, I was surprised to hear some complaints about the coffee in the country. Supposedly much of the best coffee is exported, leaving locals with the dregs:(

A Guaymi woman hand picking coffee

Much of the coffee in Costa Rica is picked by local laborers. In some regions particular indigenous groups act as migrant workers, some of which cross the border for work, such as the Guaymi who come from Panama. They can be recognized by the women's brightly colored dresses, bags made from plant fibers, and beaded bracelets and necklaces.

Cafe Milagro

So, in the midst of reading for this blog I got caught up in a website for a company (Cafe Milagro) created by a couple who traveled to Costa Rica a few summers in the early 90s and fell in love with the country. They ended up buying a coffee roaster and opening up a warehouse where they started a coffee roasting business. Sometimes customers would come in to buy a kilo of coffee and would relax on a sack of beans while they enjoyed a cup of fresh roasted coffee. They ended up being so popular that the created a little shop and a local baker supplied pastries, and eventually began serving dinner.

Not only have they created a successful business in the coastal town of Quepos, they also donate a portion of their profits - some to the chamber of commerce, some to the Titi Conservation Alliance, which protects local biodiversity, and they also have a yearly fundraiser to raise supplies for a local area school. If you are interested in ordering some of their coffee, check out their website. I just ordered their Organic Dark Roast - grown in high altitude volcanic soil and handpicked by independent family farmers. I also got the shade-grown, pesticide-free Finca Rosa Blanca Eco Estate Coffee, which cultivates trees in a way to create a biological corridor for birds and mammals in the area. They gave me some free chocolate covered pineapple with the order. MMMM, I can't wait to break my detox on my Costa Rican cooking night with a steaming cup of coffee and a chocolaty treat straight from a beach town in Costa Rica!!!!

If my post here really resonated with you and you'd like to move to Costa Rica and get involved with the coffee business, maybe you should consider buying this Costa Rican Coffee Farm - only $80,000!