Colombian food is healthy, organic and delicious!

cows hanging out on a farm

I have gained 10 much needed pounds since my move to Colombia. However, do not think you will gain this much weight if you visit this magnificent country. I have never been a great cook, nor a healthy eater. All changed once I was settled in my home. I hired a maid, and she cooks me two meals a day. The food is fresh and the meat and poultry are grass fed free range. The fish are from natural lakes, the vegetables from gardens of nearby farms, the fruit also from farms in the area. I gained weight because I was actually having meals that were healthy on a regular basis. I also visit restaurants on the weekends, you can always see the kitchen and the cooking that is going on! There is no worry here of unsafe sanitary practices anywhere you eat. The kitchen and cook is there for all to watch!

Mama Mia, my favorite Italian restaurant!

The kitchen and outside is off to the side of this Brazilian 

restaurant

Most restaurants are open air and covered with roofed patio's and charming tables with colorful tablecloths. A small candle is always lit for the guests at even the smallest restaurants. Most of these charming eating spots have a home off to the side where the family who owns them live. The families all take part in running the restaurant, and make time to greet you and chit chat when you visit them. The dishes can be traditional, or specific to what restaurant you visit. Colombia has a lot of Chinese restaurants, and Asian people who live here. I have eaten in social clubs on the weekends that have playgrounds and pools that entertain the kids, and there is never a rush to get you out of the table you occupy! It is relaxing and beautiful wherever you choose to eat, along with being easy on your pocketbook!

I have had many new dishes here in Colombia. The first time I ordered fish I was really surprised by how it was served. I had always had fillets and was a bit overwhelmed when the dish showed up with the whole fish staring at me! What I found was this fish is local (usually Tilapia) and caught fresh and never frozen. I had to watch for the little bones, but have since become quite adept at eating and enjoying the wonderful taste of the local fish. My favorite Colombian Italian restaurant Mama Mia has the best Italian cooking ever! The owners are Italian, relocated here from Italy, and the food is authentic Italian direct from Italy! The first time I had a pizza, I was transported back to Pisa and the great pizza I had had on one of my many excursions to Italy. Their pasta is equally as food and you leave with a full belly and enough food to take home to have a late night snack.

Pizza at Mama Mia

Sancocho is a common Colombian dish that you can make with fish, beef, chicken or pork. Sancocho de gallina is originally from the Colombian Region El Valle. I am not a huge fan of this meal  because I do not love soup. However, talk with any Colombian person and they will say they could eat it everyday. It is their heritage, their culture, their memories combined in one plate of chicken, corn, rice and a soup that has the foot of a hen inside. I have not really gotten used to that yet! I do eat it , as I eat everything here, but it is not my favorite dish! I love the pork, one dish is cooked as little ribs that are really :"finger licking good"! All dishes, that are traditional Colombian are served with rice. I have learned to put the rice in my soup, and mix it with my vegetables (which are all fresh from local gardens) and meat. 

plantains served with salsa as an appetizer

Fresh juice and eggs from local chickens are used every morning for my breakfast. I used to wait until mid morning to eat and then would have an egg on a muffin or yogurt. Now, I am hungry early, and exercise after my morning meal. The juices are made from local fruit, some examples are mango, tangerine, tomato (yes, there is a difference between the plant and the tree which produces fruit) pineapple, and many Colombian fruits that are unknown to the USA. I live in a small farm community, and I know that pesticides are not used and the chickens run around freely eating the grass. All of this adds up to a healthy way to live, and I feel better and look better since I have moved to Colombia. Is it the food? I would say yes, my diet has improved 100% and plays a major part in improving my health and overall well being! Eggs are not refrigerated and are delivered to my home, on a as needed basis. Milk is straight from the cow, and is boiled on the stove. I have it every day mixed with the fruit as a juice or on cereal as a late night snack. No pasteurization, and I have no problems with this. I have never been a milk drinker and now can not go a day without it! Goat milk is even more delicious and also is boiled before drinking. 

beans from a local farm

One dish I have learned to love is cow's tongue. I know, you are gagging as you read this. I was a bit taken aback the first time I saw the tongue and did not want to eat it. I tried the meal, which is served with boiled potatoes, rice and vegetables. The sauce is made with garlic and onions. I was pleasantly surprised by the tenderness of the meat and the taste of the meal. I now have tongue at least once a week and savor every morsel! The cows are from farms and are for milking and yes they are killed to be eaten. I have yet to eat anything frozen here. Meat is bought at the grocery store or small tiendas in town , cut by a butcher. 


Food is delicious, savory and healthy here in Colombia! I have learned to enjoy the variety of meals, cooked in the Colombian way. I miss American food only on traditional holidays, and not that much. I think my body craved healthy food, and now realize that when I bought "green" in the USA, I was buying a label, not the actual thing! Green or organic is a normal way to eat here, and if I mentioned the word organic to a local I would get a blank stare! It is just the way it is here! So now, I am ready to eat my breakfast of two eggs and the bunuelos (locally made fresh daily) a round ball with soft bread inside, and go for my walk along the country road with a full belly to start my day! Chiao!