La comida de Latinoamérica

Introduction

Welcome! Through this WebQuest, you are going to learn about the food and culture of Spain. Meal customs are a window in learning about another culture's beliefs and values.

Have you ever wondered about what people traditionally eat in Spain or other Spanish-speaking countries? Believe it or not, it's not all about tacos and burritos. Spain's food and eating customs are quite different from what you might expect! You are about to embark on a WebQuest that will open your eyes to one of the many wonders of Latin America.

Task

You will now be using the Internet to help answer some very important questions about the food and culture of Spain.

By the end of this activity, you should be able to answer the following questions:

  • What makes Latin American cuisine special?
  • Where will I find the best places to eat in Latin America?
  • What are some of my meal choices in Latin America?
  • How are the culture and food of Latin America related?

Process

***If you have trouble opening any link provided here, please call me over to your computer.

Food in Spain

First Course: Sopa

Let's look at a short video showing us La Boqueria, one of the most famous open-air markets in Barcelona, Spain. [video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxZ_oehVsGE width:560 height:345 align:center]  

While you are watching the video, please summarize what you saw AND answer the following questions:

  • What looked most appealing to you?
  • What looked least appealing to you?
  • Are you hungry yet?

Second Course: Ensalada

Salads in Spain tend to have more than just lettuce and are typically served simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper.La Boqueria actually has its own website.  Visit it by clicking here. (Please be sure to check out the portions of the page labeled "The Market" and "Boqueria Food School.")While you are browsing the market's website, answer the following questions:

  • Take a look at the Market Map.  If you went to stalls 230, 485, 742, and 950 what would you be purchasing?  What about the lime green colored stalls?
  • Approximately when did it originate?
  • Why is it located on Las Ramblas (the name of the street)?
  • What kinds of foods can you purchase in La Boqueria?
  • What is the Boqueria Food School?

Third Course: Aperativos

In Spain, it is very common to go out to eat with a group of friends or family members and enjoy a selection of tapas.  It's similar to going out to eat and, instead of ordering a main dish, each person might order 2-3 appetizers (tapas) and share with everyone.  Check out this site and answer the following questions:

  • What are tapas?
  • When is it most common to go out and eat them?
  • In your own words (and in a short paragraph), please describe the origins and history of tapas.
  • What are some common ingredients found in tapas?  Are there any particular ingredients that you really like? How about ones you don't like?
  • This last page here has a list of some great vocabulary terms that you would need in a tapas bar.  The list is designed to help you get the most out of your tapas experience.  Pick 4 terms from the "general tapas words" column and 2 from the rest.  Define them in a chart/table.

Fourth Course: El plato principal

Go online and find a minimum of 2 authentic Spanish recipes that look the most delicious to you.  In a separate document, type these recipes (ingredients and steps to prepare them) up so that we can create a class cookbook!  You can choose recipes from any meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks) or any course in a meal (soup, salad, appetizer, main dish, dessert, etc.).  You may NOT find a recipe for an alcoholic drink.  Please be sure to provide a link to your source. Good websites to find authentic Spanish recipes include:

Please note that you are not limited to just these websites.  Feel free to search elsewhere online and find better recipes!

Fifth Course: El postre y caféBased on the information you found, please answer these questions:
  • What makes Spanish cuisine special?
  • Where will I find the best places to eat in Spain?
  • What are some of my meal choices in Spain?
  • How are the culture and food of Spain related?

Food in Latin America

El Caribe

The first part of this web quest has to do with Spanish foods of the Carribbean.  The main islands producing this type of Cuisine are Cuba, The Domican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Search the following websites, http://latinfood.about.com/od/latincaribbeancuisine101/p/introlatinfood.htm to discover the inspiration behind this cuisine.

  1. What cultures influenced Latin Caribbean Food?  How is this heritage similar among these countries, The Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico?
  2. What were the two main tribes that influenced the cuisine of, The Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico?  
  3. What main culture influenced Caribbean food after Columbus?

In the Latin Caribbean community in the US, Thanksgiving Day or “Día de Acción de Gracias” is celebrated among the population of Dominicans, Cubans and people of Puerto Rico. Using the following website,http://latinfood.about.com/od/latincaribbeancuisine101/tp/thanksmenu.htm,  write the names down of three separate dishes from, The Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, and next to each dish served during this holiday state whether you think its influenced comes from Spain, Africa, or others?Food #1: _______________________ Influence: ______________________Food #2: _______________________ Influence: ______________________Food #3: _______________________ Influence: ______________________

México y América CentralIn Mexico and Central America there is a great amount of culinary influence from the indigenous people of those areas.  Both the Aztec and Mayan have influenced the ingredients, preparation, and products of this area’s cooking.  Search the following website,http://store.amigofoods.com and write three products from each of the 7 Spanish-Speaking countries in Central America.México: ___________________________Costa Rica: _________________________El Salvador: ________________________Guatemala: ________________________Honduras: _________________________Nicaragua: _________________________Panamá: __________________________Mexico is one of the largest countries in the Spanish-Speaking world. There cuisine is also quite different from other Latin American places. Using the following website,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_cuisine search for 6 different Mexican foods and its’ origins. (Mayan, Aztec, Spanish)Mexican Food #1: ___________________________ Origin: ____________Mexican Food #2: ___________________________ Origin: ____________Mexican Food #3: ___________________________ Origin: ____________Mexican Food #4: ___________________________ Origin: ____________Mexican Food #5: ___________________________ Origin: ____________Mexican Food #6: ___________________________ Origin: ____________
Sudamérica

The foods of South America vary widely depending on the influence each country has had from both internal and external forces. For example Venezuela and Colombia have different types of foods depending on the geographical areas where people live. For example, the cuisine from the coast and the cuisine from the interior of the country are vastly different.  Peru’s and Ecuador’s foods are influenced by both the Europeans Spaniards and the indigenous Inca, Kechua, and Moche people. 

        In the Southern parts of this continent, on the other hand, the food is influenced by a variety of European Cultures, including, Italians. Germans, and Spaniards.  This part of the South American continent is heavy in meat dishes and grilled foods.  You will research the following website,http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/cuisine/a/caribcountries.htm to discover the varieties of foods in both Colombia and Venezuela. Write three types of foods from each country and the ingredients Please notice the many types of coffees offered in Colombia.

Foods of Venezuela:

Name of food: _______________ Ingredients: _______________

Name of food: _______________ Ingredients: _______________

Name of food: _______________ Ingredients: _______________

Foods of Colombia:

Name of food: _______________ Ingredients: _______________

Name of food: _______________ Ingredients: _______________

Name of food: _______________ Ingredients: _______________

Ecuador and Peru are famous for their, “Ceviche” This seafood delicacy are raw, crustaceans and fish that is completely cooked in lemon juice. Using the following website,http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/CevicheNotes.htm, write down a brief history and some of the ingredients used to make,  “Ceviche”.

Brief history of ceviche:

Ingredients to make ceviche:

Argentina and Chile are South American countries with famous ski resorts. These vacation spots have excellent restaurants that serve  “Parrilladas” (large grilled meat BBQs).  Use the following website about Bariloche, Argentina :http://www.welcomeargentina.com/bariloche/gastronomy.html  Search for places to eat then go into the link of the “Restaurante  Rincón Patagonico”, and write five menu items you fins that are served at this restaurant.

Menu Item #1: ______________________ Main Ingredient: ______________

Menu Item #2: ______________________ Main Ingredient: ______________

Menu Item #3: ______________________ Main Ingredient: ______________

Menu Item #4: ______________________ Main Ingredient: ______________

Menu Item #5: ______________________ Main Ingredient: ______________


ConclusionBased on the information you found, please answer these questions:
  • What makes Latin American cuisine special?
  • Where will I find the best places to eat in Latin American?
  • What are some of my meal choices in Latin America?
  • How are the culture and food of Latin America related?