Costa+Rica

__**Republic of Costa Rica**__ toc

**//Costa Rica//**'s Flag   The first lady of 1848 designed the flag. She used the colors red white and blue because those were the colors of the French national flag. It wasn’t until later in that year when her husband, the president at the time, added the shield. From 1848 it has been redesigned twice. Blue stands for the sky or opportunities within reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance, infinity, eternity, religious ideals, and spiritual desires. White is clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and natural beauty, and peace and “Costa Rican initiative. Red represents the warmth of the Costa Rican people, love of life, and blood spilled during war for freedom.

 Pictures of Costa Rica    ~Beaches!

   ~This is one of the many sidewalk markets in Costa Rica.

__**  Facts:

  Formal name of country: Republic of Costa Rica   <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Size: slightly smaller than West Virginia, 51,100 sq km       <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;">  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Location: 10 00 N, 84 00 W, Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Capital city, location and population: San Jose, 365,799 <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Date of country independence from whom: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Population of entire country: 4,253,877 <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Major religions: Roman Catholic 76%, Evangelical 14%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 9% <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Languages: Spanish (official), English <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Type of government: democratic republic <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Current leader: Laura Chinchilla, first women leader <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Imports:raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Exports: integrated circuits, medical equipment, bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, textiles, Electronic components, medical equipment <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Languages: Spanish (official), English <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Type of government: democratic republic <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Date of country independence from whom: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

=<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__ National Anthem __ = <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Noble patria tu hermosa bandera <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Noble homeland, your beautiful flag <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Expresión de tu vida nos da: <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Expression of your life it gives us: <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Under the limpid blue of your skies, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Blanca y pura descansa la paz. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Peace reigns, white and pure. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> En la lucha tenaz de fecunda labor <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> In the tenacious battle of fruitful toil, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Que enrojece del hombre la faz, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> That brings a glow to mens' faces, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Conquistaron tus hijos, labriegos sencillos, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Your sons, simple farm hands, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Eterno prestigio, estima y honor, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Gained eternal renown, esteem and honor, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> eterno prestigio, estima y honor. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Gained eternal renown, esteem and honour. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Salve oh tierra gentil! <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Hail, gentle country! <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ¡Salve oh madre de amor! <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Hail, loving mother! <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> If anyone should attempt to besmirch your glory, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Verás a tu pueblo, valiente y viril <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> You will see your people, valiant and virile, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> La tosca herramienta en arma trocar. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Exchange their rustic tools for weapons. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ¡Salve patria! tu pródigo suelo <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Hail, O homeland! Your prodigal soil <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Dulce abrigo y sustento nos da; <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Gives us sweet sustenance and shelter. <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Under the limpid blue of your sky, <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ¡Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz! <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> May peaceful labor ever continue!

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ** __Holidays__ **: <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> January 1st- New Year’s Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrate with Fireworks, eating and dancing

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Final Week of February- Sun Festival <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates the Mayan New Year with fire ceremony and a gathering to promote solar power

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Mid March-Ujarras Church Pilgrimage <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates Costa Rica’s first church

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> March 19th- San Jose Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates the mark of the fest of Saint Joseph with Fairs catholic masses, bullfights and food

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Week Preceding Easter- Holy Week <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> People usually travel during this week or there are religious parades, Holy Week is taken very seriously

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> April 11th- Juan Santamaria Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates Juan Santamaria, he helped Costa Rica defeat William Walker and the invading Filibusters

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> May 1st- Labor Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates a presidential speech by taking a day off of work

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> May 29th- Corpus Christi Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates with a day off of work, it’s religious

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> June 29th- Saints Peter and Paul Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Honors saints Paul and Peter with religious celebrations

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> August 2nd- Virgin of Los Angele Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Largest religious holiday, pilgrims march on foot or on their knees towards Cartago’s Los Angeles Basilica to pay honor to la Negrita who’s Costa Rica’s black virgin

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> September 15th- Independence Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates with parties and festivals

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> October 12th- Dia de la Raze (Columbus Day) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Celebrates Columbus discovering the new world

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> November 2nd- All Soul’s Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Similar to Day of the Dead

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> December 24th- Christmas Eve <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Families go to church, open presents and eat at midnight

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ** Official Holidays: ** <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> New Years-January 1st <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> March/April- Holy Week <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> April 11th- Juan Santamaria Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> July 25th- Annexation of Guanacaste Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> August 2nd- Honors Costa Rica’s Patron Saint Virgin of Los Angeles <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> August 15th-Mother’s Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> September 15th- Independence Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> November 2nd- All Soul’s Day <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> December 25th- Christmas Day

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">


 * __<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Video Blog

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> media type="youtube" key="m9BSME2njjY?version=3" height="390" width="640"

=<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: center;">__Maps__ =

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Where Costa Rica is located <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Common Fruits:


 * = <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal;">[[image:http://www.sharingsustainablesolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/papaya-clean-FD-lg.jpg width="293" height="374" align="left"]]

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: left;">Papaya ||= <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: left;">Mango || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">piña // (pineapple) || <span style="color: #000000; font: 160% Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">
 * <span style="color: #000000; font: 160% Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">[[image:http://www.rojofuegosa.com/Pineapple%20for%20sale%20in%20costa%20rica.jpg width="300" height="253" link="@http://www.rojofuegosa.com/Pineapple%20for%20sale%20in%20costa%20rica.jpg"]]

<span style="color: #000000; font: 160% Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Watermelon ||
 * = <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: center;">[[image:http://www.cupotico.com/images/cantaloupe.jpg width="455" height="310" link="@http://www.cupotico.com/images/cantaloupe.jpg"]]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">melón // (cantaloupe) ||~ <span style="color: #000000; font: 160% Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//moras// (blackberries) || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">limones // (lemons) || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">guayaba //(guava) || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">granadilla (passion fruit) // || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">aguacates // (avocados) ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">[[image:http://www.pizzablogger.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Limoncello002.jpg width="360" height="270" link="@http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQcatAbupb_3HqO7IHIfJF5ZNbWk6V8_RhzlVTe3I_yoxks5XHO"]]
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: normal;">[[image:http://deladietetique.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/passion-fruit.jpg link="@http://deladietetique.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/passion-fruit.jpg"]]

= = = = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">__Common Dishes, Drinks, and Food__ = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">__Recipes__ = <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> **Costa Rican Tamale Recipe <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2 lbs instant corn masa mix <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3 lbs (1.4 kg) pork shoulder roast -or- beef roast -or- <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> boneless chicken
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Black beans and rice are staples are VERY common.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Meals are high in fiber and often healthy.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Tortillas
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Gallos- meant, beans, or cheese between tortillas
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Tacos
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Tamale
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Tres Leches- national desert! layered flan
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Refrescos- ice and fruit blended together
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Horchata- rice and cinnamon blended together
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Beer
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Coffee
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Coconut milk
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Curry
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Ginger
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Fish
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Beef

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ¼ lb (110 gr) pork lard (or vegetable shortening) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1 cup (240 ml) corn oil <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1 batch (~5 cups cooked Tico style rice, see ingredient list and recipe below) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2 ¼ lbs (1 kg) potatoes <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 8 cloves of garlic <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ½ lb (225 gr) sweet or hot peppers to taste <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1 large onion (optional) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2 ¼ lbs (1 kg) banana leaves (corn husks can be substituted, or if desperate aluminum foil) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> coriander leaves (cilantro), salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, achiote (annato)

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> If you are adventurous and demand complete authenticity, you must start from raw corn ground for tamales (3 lbs, 1.4 kg Maíz cascado, malido crudo). Soak the flour in water then rinse it well, cook with a tablespoon of achiote, and a little of the garlic and peppers in salted water to just cover until tender then stand overnight. The next day, knead it into dough. You should probably have a demonstration first if you're going to try this method. For first timers we'd suggest the Masa version described below.

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Chop the meat into large (2", 5 cm) chunks then brown on high heat in the ½ cup lard or vegetable oil. Add the chopped garlic, peppers, onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt for the last minute or two of browning, then cover with water and simmer until very tender (2-3 hours). Remove the meat from the broth and reserve the broth. When the meat is cool shred it finely. While the meat is simmering prepare the potatoes and rice.

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Peel the potatoes and boil with salt, cilantro, and oregano to taste until soft. Cool and cut into ½ inch (1 cm) cubes.

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Rice Tico style <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3-5 sprigs cilantro (coriander leaf) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1 small or half a medium onion <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ½ small red or yellow sweet pepper (optional) <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3 cups (700 ml) chicken broth or water <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2 cups (350 ml) white rice <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Chop cilantro, onion, and sweet pepper very fine. Add 1 Tablespoon oil to a large pan and sauté the dry rice for 2 minutes over medium high flame then add the chopped onion, sweet pepper and cilantro and sauté another 2 minutes. Add water or chicken broth, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer until rice is tender (20-35 minutes).

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> To prepare the masa, allow the meat broth to cool until it is just warm. To the dry masa add 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon ground achiote, and mix dry. Then add the vegetable oil, mix with your hands while adding the warm broth. It should take about 2 1/2 cups to make a paste the consistency of mashed potatoes. Mix and add slowly, and if you over shoot on the broth and get it too thin, add a little more masa.

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Wrap the Tamales & Steam <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wash the banana leaves then cut them into ~15 inch (38 cm) squares. Spread 2 tablespoons of masa paste in the center, add 1 tablespoon each of potatoes, rice and meat. Fold as shown and tie with cotton string. Cook the tamales in gently boiling water for about one hour.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">[[image:http://www.explorecostarica.com/newsmanager/uploads/foldtamales.jpg width="160" height="220"]] ||
 * <span class="image_caption" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Diagram for folding tamales in banana leaves (© R. Krueger-Koplin) ||

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> If you substitute corn husks, you will need to make slightly smaller tamales, pack the pot full and steam them rather than boiling them, because the husks won't hold together while floating around.

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Tres Leches <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">6 eggs, yolks and whites separated <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1 1/2 cups granulated sugar <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1 1/2 cups self-raising flour <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">4 tbsp. ice water
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">For Cake:

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">For The Tres Leches Syrup: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1 can sweetened condensed milk (see note)* <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1 can evaporated milk (see note)* <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">2 cups (16 oz.) whole milk <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1/4 cup rum (optional)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">For Topping: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Whipped Cream or Meringue Topping (see recipes below) || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Grease and lightly flour a 9x13 inch rectangular baking dish (pyrex glass baking dish is good). Set aside.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">**Instructions**:

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Beat the 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and self-raising flour, the 6 egg yolks and the ice water.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake in oven at 350ºF (180ºC) for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. (Make the Tres Leches Syrup while cake is baking). Remove cake from oven and place cake (Do NOT remove cake from baking dish) on wire cooling rack.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">To Make The Tres Leches Syrup: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">In a large bowl combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and the 2 cups whole milk. Mix well. Stir in a little rum if desired.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">With a fork, toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes all over top of cake and pour the Tres Leches syrup over the top of cake until completely absorbed.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Once cake has cooled sufficiently, refrigerate cake in baking dish for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight before frosting with whipped cream or meringue topping.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Makes 9 - 12 servings.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">For Whipped Cream Topping: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Ingredients: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">2 cups heavy whipping cream <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1/4 cup granulated or confectioners' sugar <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1 tsp. vanilla extract

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Instructions: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">TIP: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Before making the Whipped Cream Topping, chill your beaters and bowl in freezer for 15 - 20 minutes. Make sure your heavy whipping cream is well chilled.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Pour "chilled" heavy whipping cream into mixing bowl, beat until soft peaks form; add sugar and the vanilla extract and beat until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat!

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Spread whipped cream topping evenly over Tres Leches Cake and garnish cake with nuts, fruit or decoration of your choice.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Makes approximately 4 cups whipped cream topping.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">For Meringue Topping <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Ingredients: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">3 tablespoons water <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">3/4 cup granulated sugar <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">3 large egg whites <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">1 - 2 tsp. lemon juice (optional)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Instructions: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Once the cake is completely chilled, in a saucepan combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Cook until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage, 235-240 degrees F (112-115 C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form; add lemon juice (optional). While beating, add the hot syrup in a stream. Beat until all the syrup has been added, the mixture cools, and a glossy icing forms.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Spread the Meringue Topping evenly across the top of chilled cake. Decorate with nuts, fresh fruit or decoration of your choice. If desired, garnish with mint sprigs or edible flowers.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Makes about 4 cups meringue topping.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">*Note From Diana's Desserts <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Depending on what country you live in, Evaporated Milk and Sweetened Condensed Milk come in different size cans.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Charlotte suggests using 12 ounces of each of these milks plus 2 cups of whole milk for the Tres Leches Syrup. Here in the United States, Sweetened Condensed Milk comes in a 14 ounce can, and Evaporated Milk comes in a 12 ounce can. I used 1 can of each, and this worked well. It is a little more than what the recipe calls for, but that didn't seem to make much difference. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">**Source**: Charlotte Leaver

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;"> ||

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<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Time Line:

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<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Famous People From Costa Rica


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">**Laura Chinchilla- first woman president**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">**Francisco Amighetti- painter**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">**Jose Maria Castro Madriz- started one of the first new papers**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">**Oscar Arias Sanchez- won a noble peace prize for trying to find peace in Latin America**

<span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span class="categorydata" style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">