canastas navideñas gourmet costa rica

Christmas Gift Ideas Costa Rica

For hundreds of millions of people around the world, Christmas is one of the most important holidays of the year. While those in Costa Rica celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25. Today, let's take a closer look at the unique Christmas traditions in Costa Rica .
Christmas traditions in Costa Rica include various centuries-old customs combined with elements of globalization. In this way, there are rites of the Catholic Christian religion, such as the placement of the Christmas portal, with foreign customs such as the Christmas tree. Generally, it is tradition to decorate cities, houses, shops and companies with lights and objects alluding to the season, which is done from the end of November or the beginning of December.
Traditionally, families gather on December 24 or 25 for Christmas dinner and midnight masses, and it is during this celebration that the exchange of gifts takes place. Among the Christmas beliefs in Costa Rica, it stands out that the character in charge of delivering the gifts is the Child Jesus , while in other families it is instilled that he is Santa Claus (who is also called San Nicolás, and colloquially, Colacho) , or, the same parents. A new family reunion occurs on December 31 or January 1, to celebrate the new year.

Although it is true that the exchange of Christmas gifts is focused on children, children and adults really enjoy Christmas with great enthusiasm.

For the older ones, Those who also expect to receive a Christmas gift have These options that you can give to your loved ones this Christmas!

As if that were not enough, even companies are infected with this Christmas spirit, and they also give gifts to employees, collaborators, clients, suppliers as a sign of gratitude for all the effort during the year, and motivate them to continue a full next year. of many successes. At UGB we have the ideal option that you can send to all of Costa Rica as a business or corporate gift!

Christmas baskets Costa Rica
Remember not to leave your Christmas gift to the last minute, since these are dates of very high demand, and at UGB we make sure that all recipients receive their gift.
We want to encourage Costa Rican customs and encourage family unity, as a gift we leave you this beautiful recipe for Tico-style Christmas tamale.

Christmas Ticos Tamales

They are typical for Christmas and can be chicken or pork, it is a homemade and family meal.

 50 minutes

Ingredients

 6 servings
  1. 1 ¼ kg husked corn (shelled corn, cooked until soft and then ground into dough)
  2. 1 ½ kg pork or chicken rib
  3. 220g butter
  4. 300g mashed potatoes
  5. 150g  carrots
  6. 110g bacon
  7. 150g rice
  8. 220g boiled peas
  9. 220g boiled chickpeas
  10. 5 garlic
  11. 6 sweet chilies
  12. 3 medium onions
  13. oregano, thyme, coriander, annatto
  14. cumin, “Lizano” Worcestershire sauce
  15. salt and pepper

Steps

  1. **Step 1**: On Vespers, the meats should be marinated with salt, oregano, thyme and also the garlic and onions and let everything rest. The next day it is cooked together with the bacon in plenty of water, when this the meat is removed from the heat and the broth is reserved.

  2. **Step 2**: In another pot, cook the corn, then grind it in a blender and add the cumin, pepper, butter, and broth, mix well and cook without stopping stirring (when it breaks the first boil will be ready); If you need more consistency you can add mashed potatoes, add Worcestershire sauce.

  3. **Step 3**: Take portions of dough with a spoon and place them on a banana leaf (previously washed and dried), add rice with achiote, pieces of pork or chicken (as chosen), the Sliced ​​carrots, chilies, chickpeas and peas. Don't forget a coriander leaf. Close and tie tightly, cook in boiling water for two hours.


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