Two Minutes Du Jour

Between power and Wi-Fi outages, I haven’t posted much this week, so instead of our typical Sunday Edition with a recap, here’s a two-minute update.

How many foods have you written off after just one try or without trying them at all? Coconut wasn’t my thing. Coconut water? Overrated. At least, that’s what I thought—until I politely sipped pipa: fresh, chilled coconut water straight from the tree.

While visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Panama, with abundant coconut trees on their property, I watched a local worker harvest coconuts on Friday morning. My brother-in-law skillfully cut them open, collected the liquid, and handed it off for my sister and me to strain, bottle, and chill.

That afternoon, my sister offered pipa during a visit with neighbors. I politely declined during past visits, but yesterday, I decided to give it a sip. To my surprise, it was delicious—refreshing, subtly sweet, and nothing like the pre-packaged, grocery-store versions I’d tried before. It was a lovely accompaniment to our holiday spread that included a cucumber-radish salad, arepas made with yuca, hummus and tostadas, and cranberry-orange bread (vegan and gluten free that I baked at home and brought for the party) and some delectable chocolates that the neighbors gifted us.

What’s more, I helped peel the coconut meat, which they freeze for smoothies and recipes. The experience reminded me that sometimes, it’s not the food we dislike but the way it’s prepared. Fresh and local make all the difference.

Panama has introduced me to an abundance of new foods that I’ve grown to love. Take otoe (a root vegetable often mashed or boiled), guandu (pigeon peas, a staple in rice dishes), ñame (a yam-like vegetable that’s mild and versatile), and saril (it’s a ruby-red hibiscus flower used in festive drinks or teas).

For dessert, we had granadilla, similar yet distinct from a passion fruit. My BIL prepared it as a puree with a little cinnamon and sugar – and I brought homemade Toll House Cookies, which was a perfect accompaniment.

Not a new find, but one of my favs – local pina (pineapple) from Mario’s roadside fruit stand in the nearby village of Sora. I always look forward to picking out fresh fruit.

Traveling has taught me that trying local foods can be an adventure of its own—whether from grocery stores, roadside stands, or neighbors’ kitchens. Even if you’ve turned your nose up at a food before, giving it another chance in its freshest, most authentic form can lead to delightful surprises. Just don’t expect me to try everything – especially bananas:)

Two Links Du Jour:

Coconut Water Benefits – WebMD

Top 25 Foods of Panama (with pictures!) – Chef’s Pencil