When the Spaniards encountered the Americas on their way to
India, they found a bounty of flavor. New foods challenged both
European and native taste buds. The Africans arrived and brought
their share. And so did the Asians. Today, Latin American food is
rich in culture, and Hispanics are passionate about it.
”
Where did that fruit originally come from?
”
and
”
Who created that dish?
”
are often topics of serious food conversations.
When the Spaniards encountered the Americas on their way to India, they found a bounty of flavor. New foods challenged both European and native taste buds. The Africans arrived and brought their share. And so did the Asians. Today, Latin American food is rich in culture, and Hispanics are passionate about it. “Where did that fruit originally come from?” and “Who created that dish?” are often topics of serious food conversations.
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), we invite you to join a celebration of diverse cuisine. Test your palate with our trivia game and find out how much Latino flavor lives in you.
1. Who invented the Caesar salad?
a. The Argentinean cook Dona Petrona de Gandulfo
b. Douglas Rodriguez, in honor of social activist Cesar Chavez
c. Cesar Cardini, a Mexican restaurateur
d. The chef Francesco Leonardi
2. Where do lima beans come from?
a. Cuba
b. Guatemala
c. Paraguay
d. Uruguay
3. What food company did Spanish immigrants Prudencio and Carolina Unanue start in 1936?
a. Goya
b. Old El Paso
c. Taco Bell
d. Faraon
4. What is flan?
a. A Central American cocktail
b. A caramel custard
c. A Spanish toast with olive oil and garlic
d. A creamy fruit sherbet typical of the Caribbean
5. If you ask for a tortilla in Spain, what do you get?
a. A flat, thin bread
b. A chocolate torte
c. A corn chip
d. An omelet
6. What do the words “dulce de leche,” “manjar blanco,” “cajeta” and “arequipe” refer to?
a. Appetizers
b. Soups
c. Entrees
d. Desserts
7. What is in a Cuban sandwich?
a. Chorizo and fried plantains on cornbread
b. Chicken, avocado and blue cheese on a roll
c. Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles on grilled French bread
d. Turkey and lettuce on a flour tortilla
8. Mexicans have tortillas. Salvadorans have pupusas. What would be the equivalent for Colombians and Venezuelans?
a. Arepa
b. Pan concha
c. Gordita
d. Mollete
9. What is the basic ingredient that offers flavor and color to the Spanish paella?
a. Achiote
b. Paprika
c. Saffron
d. Tomatillo
10. What is an authentic steak taco?
a. A grilled corn tortilla with steak, onions and cilantro
b. A grilled flour tortilla with steak, onions and lettuce
c. A fried corn tortilla with steak, onions and cheese
d. A grilled corn tortilla with steak, tomatoes and lettuce
11. Chipotle is a Mexican chile. Describe it.
a. A pasilla pepper that has been dehydrated
b. Smoked jalapeno pepper
c. A sauteed habanero pepper
d. Canned serrano pepper
12. Which hot drink came to the Americas with the conquistadors?
a. Mate
b. Coffee
c. Coca tea
d. Chocolate
13. Gazpacho is a Spanish soup, usually served cold. What are the main ingredients?
a. Eggplant, onions, tomatoes
b. Cucumbers, garlic, tomatoes
c. Celery, onions, zucchini
d. Carrots, squash, celery
14. Gallo pinto (spotted rooster) is the national dish of what country?
a. Panama
b. Ecuador
c. Nicaragua
d. Costa Rica
17. When fish is marinated in lime juice and mixed with onions and chiles, what popular appetizer do you get?
a. Bacalaito
b. Escabeche
c. Ceviche
d. Curanto
18. What is an empanada?
a. A pork tamale
b. A chimichanga covered in cheese
c. Fried green plantains
d. A turnover
19. Tomato, potato, corn, pineapple, mango and papaya are widely used in Latin American cooking. Which is not native to the Americas?
a. Potato
b. Tomato
c. Mango
d. Pineapple
20. Which is the largest wine producer and consumer in Latin America?
a. Argentina
b. Chile
c. Brazil
d. Uruguay
ANSWERS
1. c
2. b
3. a
4. b
5. d
6. d
7. c
8. a
9. c
10. a
11. b
12. b
13. b
14. d
15. c
16. d
17. c
18. a.
