If you ask me what my love language is, I’ll probably say food. Growing up with a Nicaraguan mom’s side and a Cuban dad’s side meant I was basically raised with a built-in food tour of two cultures. My childhood was filled with family recipes, big Hispanic food meals, conversations around the table, and, of course, the occasional family member insisting that I eat more.
Food has always been one of the easiest ways for me to feel connected to my family and my heritage. Even though Nicaragua and Cuba are two different countries with their own cultures and traditions, both sides of my family have taught me that food can bring people together.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I decided to rank some of the foods that bring me the most comfort. Is this ranking scientifically accurate? Absolutely not. It’s based on nostalgia, childhood memories, and what I’d immediately accept if someone offered it to me.
- Nacatamales: The Undefeated Champion
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Nacatamales had to take the number one spot. There was really no competition.
This traditional Nicaraguan dish is made with masa, filled with ingredients like meat, rice, and vegetables, wrapped in a banana leaf, and cooked (if you’re in my family, though, we definitely add hot chilis). For me, though, nacatamales are about much more than what’s inside the wrapper.
They remind me of my Nicaraguan family and the traditions my mom’s side passed down. There’s something special about food that takes time and effort to prepare. Nacatamales aren’t exactly an “I’m hungry, let me make something really quick” kind of meal. They’re a labor of love.
My family would set a day and time to make them, and you’d best believe our entire kitchen and dining area at my grandparents’ small house was taken up by a white folding table and many hands ready to help. That effort is part of what makes them so comforting to me.
Food can carry memories, and sometimes the foods that take the longest to prepare become the most meaningful. Honestly, that effort makes them taste even better.
Nostalgia level: 10/10.
Effort required: A lot.
Worth it: Every single time. - Gallo pinto: Simple; Never Boring
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Next, we have another Nicaraguan classic: gallo pinto. Made with rice and beans, gallo pinto is one of those foods that can instantly make a meal feel familiar. It’s simple, comforting, and incredibly nostalgic for me because of my mom’s Nicaraguan side.
One thing I love about gallo pinto is that it doesn’t need to be complicated to be special. It’s the kind of food that can remind you of home without a fancy presentation or a special occasion. I mean, it’s basically day-old rice (which we always had in my household) mixed with some easily cooked beans, nothing fancy or time-consuming. It was so versatile that we could eat it every day with anything.
Growing up, I learned that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the foods that mean the most are the ones that have been around your family forever. Gallo pinto may look simple, but it carries a lot of memories for me. It represents the everyday side of my Nicaraguan heritage, the part of culture that exists not only during celebrations but also in ordinary family meals.
Nostalgia level: 10/10.
Simplicity: Elite.
Would I eat it right now? Obviously. - Pastelitos: Tiny but Mighty
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Pastelitos earn the No. 3 spot because anything described as a little pocket of deliciousness deserves recognition. Growing up with a Cuban family, pastelitos became an instant treat. Whether filled with meat, cheese, or something sweet, they could make an ordinary day feel a little more special.
Handheld food also feels more fun because you don’t need a fancy plate or a special occasion. Just give me a pastelito and let me be happy. Pastelitos also remind me of how much food can become part of childhood. For me, pastelitos were a Sunday-morning breakfast at my dad’s house; my dad and grandfather would pick them up early from the Cuban bakery before I woke up.
Sometimes, you don’t realize that something is a core memory until years later, when you smell or taste it again. That’s part of what makes comfort food so special. It can take you back to a specific moment without you even realizing how much you missed it.
Nostalgia level: 9/10.
Size: Small.
Impact: Huge. - Indio viejo: The Underrated Favorite
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Indio viejo is another Nicaraguan dish that deserves its flowers. This traditional dish combines shredded meat and masa into a hearty, comforting meal. For me, it’s another reminder of how much my connection to Nicaragua comes through food.
A recipe can be more than a recipe. It can be something relatives made before you, something you associate with family gatherings, or something that reminds you of where your family comes from. That’s what makes dishes like indio viejo special to me. They’re another connection to my Nicaraguan roots. I still remember the first time my grandma made it for me and the story she told me.
Back when the Spanish Conquistadors came to Nicaragua, some of them would rob the Natives’ lands, which made them mad. Coincidentally, one of the elder Natives passed away. One night, when the Natives made food, they prepared their usual meal but served the Spaniards a different protein. The Spaniards loved it and asked what it was. The Natives said it was called indio viejo, Old Indian.
The dish’s name has a crazy story behind it, but don’t worry, it doesn’t contain any old Indians. The more I think about the foods I grew up with, the more I realize how much they’ve shaped my understanding of my identity.
Nostalgia level: 8.5/10.
Comfort level: Basically a warm blanket in food form.
Origin Story: Crazy. - Vigorón: Deserves its Flowers
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Vigorón is another Nicaraguan favorite that absolutely deserves its place on this list. Made with boiled yuca, crispy chicharrón, and a tangy cabbage slaw called ensalada, this dish brings together different textures and flavors on a single plate. The yuca’s softness, the pork’s crunch, and the slaw’s freshness make it a standout combination.
Vigorón is especially interesting because of its connection to Nicaraguan food culture. It’s closely associated with Granada, Nicaragua, where it’s a well-known local specialty. Traditionally served on a banana leaf, it’s a great example of how food presentation can reflect a country’s culinary traditions.
I also love how this dish brings together simple ingredients to create something so distinctive. It doesn’t need an elaborate presentation or a long list of fancy ingredients to make an impression. Each component plays a role, and together they make vigorón a meal that deserves far more recognition.
Nostalgia level: 8/10.
Deserves more hype: Absolutely.
Would I turn it down? Absolutely not. - Honorable Mention: Cafecito
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Cafecito absolutely deserves to be on this list, but I had to put it in the honorable mention category because, technically, it’s a drink.
On my Cuban side, cafecito connects to family, conversation, and those moments when everyone somehow ends up gathered around the kitchen. A quick cup of coffee can somehow turn into a full conversation, and suddenly nobody’s in a rush to leave.
For me, cafecito represents one way my Cuban heritage shows up in everyday life. It’s not just about the coffee. It’s about the people, conversations, and memories that come with it. Cafecito time is a necessary part of my day at home. That’s what makes it worthy of an honorable mention. It may not technically be food, but it’s still part of sharing food and time with family.
Nostalgia level: 10/10.
Technically food?: No.
Still deserves a spot?: Absolutely.
The real winner? My childhood
As fun as it is to rank these foods, I don’t think I could choose a single favorite. When I think about these dishes, I think about more than just how they taste. I think about family gatherings, traditions, conversations, and the feeling of being surrounded by people who share pieces of my history.
Being both Nicaraguan and Cuban means I carry pieces of two cultures with me. The foods, traditions, and histories differ, but both sides of my family have taught me that food is about much more than eating. It’s about connection.
That’s also why I love celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic culture isn’t a single, uniform experience. It encompasses countless countries, families, recipes, and traditions. My experience is just one example. So yes, nacatamales may take the crown, but every food on this list represents a piece of where I come from. Honestly, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
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