Cuisine of the Mariana Islands

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Kelaguen, raw meats, green onions, donne peppers cooked with citrus and served with tatiya Kelaguen 1534 (14529937155).jpg
Kelaguen, raw meats, green onions, donne peppers cooked with citrus and served with tatiya
Tianaktak, finely ground meat cooked in coconut milk with vegetables Beef tinaktak.jpg
Tianaktak, finely ground meat cooked in coconut milk with vegetables
Estufao, a stewed meat dish similar to Kaddon pika Estufao.jpg
Estufao, a stewed meat dish similar to Kaddon pika
Apigigi, roasted coconut in a banaa leaf Apigigi 1.JPG
Apigigi, roasted coconut in a banaa leaf

The cuisine of the Mariana Islands is largely made up of meat dishes, including pork, poultry, and meat from other land mammals. Some popular land animals consumed include Mariana fruit bat. [1] Guam and the Northern Marianas split in 1899, when Spain transferred Guam to the United States but the northern Islands to Germany (later occupied by Japan), and so there are many similarities, especially the Chamorro food culture.

Like in many other archipelagos, the islands' surrounding waters make seafood another popular option. Some seafoods include sea cucumbers, and various fish. It is said that the Mariana Island's cuisine is heavily influenced by its neighbors Papuan, Hawaiian, and American cuisines. The Mariana's cuisine is very international, with many dishes, such as Korean kimchi, Filipino pancit [2] and Spanish empanadas being enjoyed on the islands. [3]

Some of the most well known local specialties are kelaguen, a Chamorro dish consisting of chicken, shrimp, fish or beef marinated in a mix of lemon juice and fresh coconut, [4] [5] red rice made with annatto [6] and kå'du fanihi, a soup made of fruit bat or flying fox [7] and Guyuria cookies. [8]

Apigi is a Chamorro dish in which roasted coconut is wrapped in banana leaf. [9] A traditional ingredient of Chamorro food is a variety of spice-hot chili pepper called the donne sali. [9] This pepper, thought to have been introduced by the Spanish in the 1600s (Chili pepper is native to the Americas), grows wild on Guam and the Northern Marianas. It is a type of Capsicum frutescens and is very popular part of the culinary aspects and food culture of the islands. [10] (see also List of Capsicum cultivars) It is also commonly eaten by birds which have spread it around the islands, and is also called a Boonie pepper. [11] The sauce made from this pepper is called Fina'denne', and is a staple condiment of Chamorro dishes. Translated, it simply means "made from donne' ", the Chamorro word for chili pepper. [12] The sauce finadenne can be made with soy sauce and vinegar (dark finadenne) or with lemon juice and vinegar (white finadenne). [13] The white finadnne sauce is used in making Chamorro cured beef called Tinala' Katne. [13]

The canned meat Spam is extremely popular in the Marianas and Saipan. [14]

Guam is also the highest per capita consumer of Tabasco sauce in the world. [15]

The islands are home to many types of restaurants, with Korean, Japanese, Thai, American food, often serving a mix of styles. [16] [9] (see also Fusion cuisine)

List of traditional dishes:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estufao</span>

Estufao is a Chamorro dish where chunks of meat are stewed in water, vinegar, soy sauce, spices, and garlic. It is similar to Filipino adobo and kaddon pika. It is a versatile dish, so various meats such as beef, chicken, venison, or pork can be used. Thus, recipes are often different from one cook to another. Spices such as bay leaves and salt can be added. The ingredients are combined and allowed to marinate. Then, the mixture is cooked on oil until browned slightly. Water is added, and the mixture is cooked over low heat until the meat is tender. Corn starch is often added to thicken the stew. The meat and gravy can be served separated or together. The dish is often served with steamed white rice and fina'denne'.

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Tinala' katne is a Chamoru dish of dried and cured beef strips similar to beef jerky from the Marianas. It is often found at parties (fiestas) and is offered by some restaurants. It tends to have a softer texture than other types of beef jerky and is more of a side dish than a snack.

References

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  9. 1 2 3 "Northern Mariana Islands — Food and Restaurants - ITAP World". itap-world.com. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  10. #author.fullName}. "These searing hot chilli peppers are in danger thanks to snakes". New Scientist. Retrieved 2023-10-16.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. "New research illustrates how birds help to produce rare wild chili peppers • News Service • Iowa State University". www.news.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
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  13. 1 2 "Fina'denne': Dipping Sauce - Guampedia". www.guampedia.com. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  14. "How Saipan got Obsessed with SPAM". Mental Floss. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  15. "Guam still has world's highest Tabasco consumption rate". www.kuam.com. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
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  17. "Tinala' Katne: Dried Beef - Guampedia". www.guampedia.com. 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2023-10-18.

See also