Vieques Information

Local Delicacies

Vieques is a place that will delight all the senses, taste included! Vieques "Cuisine" reflects a history of many cultures and what they added to the island's diet.

You can enjoy a mixture of traditional Puerto Rican fare with Caribbean, African and European influences. Vieques is a place of great food, where your best meal might come from a roadside stand and enjoyed on the beach.

Empanada (Em-pa-nah-dah)
Soft dough discs stuffed with pork, chicken, conch, crab, and many other fillings, folded over and pinched, then lightly fried. Available in most bars or food carts.
Alcapurria (ALL-ca-POOR-ree-ah)
A hand held snack that is made from grated plantain and taro root, stuffed with ground beef or chicken then fried to a nice dark brown.
Pastele (PAHS-tell)
A mash that may consist of plantain, cassava, taro root, green bananas and pumpkin. Meats and cheeses are added, and the Pastel is wrapped in a banana leaf and wax paper. The packet is then boiled.
Arepa (Ah-RAY-pah)
This is a savory meal cake that can be fried or boiled. The Arepa can be used as a substitute for bread dipped into .
Yuca (JOO-cah)
The Cassava root has the starch content of a potato and is more fibrous. Yuca can be eaten boiled, fried, or mashed.
Pernil (PEAR-kneel)
Pork shoulder that is seasoned with traditional Puerto Rican spices, baked then carved and served.
Flan (FLAHN)
Flan is a custard like dessert that comes in flavors such as vanilla, sweet milk, pumpkin, cheese or coconut, each topped with a sweet glaze.
Limber (LEEM-bear)
This frozen ice treat is made from the juices of natural fruits on the island (coconut, passion fruit, sea grape) and frozen in small cups.
Pinchos (PEEN-choz)
Barbecued meat skewers made with pork, beef, or chicken. Available at many roadside stands.
Tostones (toas-TOE-nays)
Green Plantains are peeled and sliced, then fried, then flattened, then fried again. The resulting disk is a delicious side. Enjoy with ketchup or chopped garlic.
Guarapo (Guah-RAH-po)
Freshly pressed and chilled sugar cane juice.
Lechon (LAY-chon)
A whole pig is seasoned with traditional Puerto Rican spices, slow roasted over an open fire, then chopped and served by the pound.

Guide to Vieques Foods