Day 296 of 365 Things To Do in Panama
Day 296 of 365 Things To Do in Panama. Try Culantro in Your Meals!
Culantro is a common ingredient in Panamanian food. However, it is not an alternate spelling of cilantro which is a common mistake made when shopping. Although, spelled similarly, they are not the same plants even though they are both used for cooking and have a similar aroma and flavor.
Culantro has long, serrated leaves and looks a bit like long-leafed lettuce. It is similar to parsley and believed to have originated in the Mediterranean and was brought to the Americas during colonization. It has become an integral part of Latin American and Caribbean dishes.
Culantro is often added during cooking because it has a very strong flavor and aroma.
The leaves are the part of the plant used for cooking. It can be added to almost any dish that you would use cilantro. It is typically one of the herbs used to flavor stew dishes, rice, meats and fish.
It is also known medically for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.