Panela on the Menu at Platillos Voladores

While visiting Cali we met Vicky Acosta, the Executive Chef and Owner of one of the best restaurant in the city, Platillos Voladores. She shared with us the delicious and inspiring ways she uses panela.

To start, Rollitos de Chontaduro. These savory spring rolls are filled with chontaduro, parmesan and ricotta cheese, served with a decadent panela and cayenne pepper sauce.  

Chontaduro is a unique fruit that's popular in Cali and along the Pacific Coast. It has smooth red skin, a starchy texture and earthy flavor that makes it taste more like a potato than a fruit.

Vicky made us some special, off-menu Chorizitos. Little sausages between fried queso costeño and tortilla, drizzled with a guarapo and panela sauce.

Next we had the Posta Negra, a beef dish originally from Cartagena. It's a panela marinated cut of tri-tip, or punta de anca, slow cooked with wok veggies. Then topped with fried onions and served with Arroz con Coco, rice cooked in coconut milk.

We also had an amazing dinner-meets-dessert dish, Lomo Banano. Beef tenderloin with an Amaretto-Panela glaze, topped with a caramelized banana and cinnamon. It was the ultimate sweet and savory combo. 

Tropical Fruit Guide

A trip to Colombia isn't complete without experiencing the huge variety of native tropical fruits. Some are familiar, like pineapple and mango, others completely outrageous. We'd like to share a guide to some of our favorites.

Pitahaya Amarilla, aka Dragon Fruit, is the fruit of a cactus native to Colombia. It's refreshing and juicy, with a sweet, pear-like flavor. Pitahaya's edible seeds also contain heart healthy monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. We love it sliced in half, to scoop the fresh fruit right out of it's spiky rind.

Lulo is a stunning fruit with orange skin and contrasting green flesh. It tastes like a super sour kiwi. Lulo is usually blended with lime juice and panela to make a popular refreshment called Lulada.

Maracuyá, or Passion Fruit, is a juicy fruit filled with edible seeds and has a sharp flavor. It's a common ingredient in many popular Colombian desserts.

Mangostino is often called the Queen of tropical fruits. Peel back the deep-purple rind to reveal the white, fragrant flesh around it's almond sized seeds. Mangostino has a delicate, floral flavor and soft, juicy texture. It also can help regulate blood pressure and prevent inflammation.

Granadilla, like Maracuyá, is filled with juicy edible seeds. It has a subtle, sweet-tart flavor and is a rich source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and fiber.

Zapote is a unique fruit that is kind of like a cross between a mango and a pumpkin. It's an excellent source of Vitamin C and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Papaya is one of our favorite notorious tropical fruits. It's not only a beautiful fruit but also has a warm sweet flavor with subtle, musky undertones and a soft, buttery texture. Papaya also promotes healthy digestion and boosts the immune system.

Uchuvas are small zesty berries with a sweet yet tangy flavor. They are actually more closely related to tomatoes than berries. Uchuvas are usually found wrapped in their leaves, which create a pouch for the fruit to ripen.

Chontaduro is a super unique fruit native to Colombia's Pacific Coast. It's earthy flavor and starchy texture make it taste more like a sweet potato than a fruit. Chontaduro one of the most popular Colombian street foods, usually served boiled with honey and salt. Beyond the unique texture and flavor, it's also a great energy booster, full of beta-carotene, iron, protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Tomate de Arbol, aka Tamarillo, tastes like a tangy green tomato with an almost smokey aftertaste. It's used mostly in savory dishes and is great source of Vitamin A, B6 and C.

Guanabana is a large, spiny tropical fruit with a sweet, soft flesh. It contains natural compounds with medicinal properties.

Grosellas, or Gooseberries, are tiny, super sour little fruits. They are mother nature's warhead, except without a sweet center.

Guama is a very surprising fruit. Crack open it's pod to reveal large smooth seeds covered in white velvety pulp that melts in your mouth like cotton candy.