Cuchifritos are a popular type of Puerto Rican soul food, consisting of fried pork and other finger foods such as pancakes, stir-fried vegetables, and meat-based dishes. They are often sold by street vendors and food trucks, and some restaurants are named after them. Fruity drinks and ajonjolí are common accompaniments.
Soul food in Puerto Rican cuisine often refers to cuchifritos. These fried foods include a wide variety of typically pork dishes, from plain cured pork, to stuffed plantains and other foods. The term literally translates to “fried pork.”
Depending on where it is served, a cuchifrito can range from vegetable or cheese-based fried foods to whole pork dishes, such as Chicharron or deep-fried pork skin. Any piece of finger food is highly flavorful, often rich or spicy, and can usually be eaten on the go. This makes them popular street foods to serve as food trucks or street vendors.
Various types of pancakes are typically included on a cuchifritos menu. Yucca flour and batter are often used to form patties or pancakes that include pork, poultry or seafood. Herbs and spices, such as garlic and rosemary, are often added for extra flavoring. Cheese can also be included in these pancakes or pies. Most cuchifritos don’t contain much, if any, fruit, although raisins are sometimes used in filling recipes.
Stir-fried vegetables are popular cuchifritos. Plantains that are filled with different types of cheeses, such as picadillo, along with herbs and pureed plantains are favorite fried foods. Another favorite mashed vegetable is the potato, which is also filled with a cheese mixture or in the center, before being fried in oil. A meat, such as beef or pork, can also be used to stuff vegetables before the frying process.
The most loved cuchifritos in any region are usually the meat-based foods. In addition to chicharron, cheesy beef patties and beef-based alcapurria fritters made with pumpkin or banana paste are usually popular items. Such potato foods are known as papas rellenas. Many Puerto Rican locals also enjoy blood sausage dishes. Chickpeas are another popular filling for cuchifritos.
Sellers of cuchifritos may also use the term to name their establishments. Such restaurants have existed in New York, Puerto Rico and other areas. Many of these spots lack seating and customers are expected to eat their food as they walk by. In Spain, the dishes are known as cochifritos and usually feature goat or lamb as the key ingredient instead of pork. These are considered a rural specialty of the country in areas such as Castile and León.
Many establishments that sell finger foods also offer customers fruity drinks. Juices, smoothies and other sweet drinks are usually inspired by tropical fruits. A sesame seed drink known as ajonjolí often accompanies these fried foods.
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