Casado facts for kids

A casado is a super yummy and filling meal from Costa Rica. It's a traditional dish that brings together several different foods on one plate, making it a complete and satisfying meal. The name "casado" means "married man" in Spanish, and it's a popular lunch choice for many people in Costa Rica.

A delicious Casado meal ready to eat!

What is a Casado?

A casado is not just one food, but a whole plate of different tasty items. It usually includes:

• Rice: A generous serving of white rice.
• Black Beans: Often served separately or alongside the rice.
• Plantains: Sweet, fried plantains, which are like large bananas.
• Salad: A simple salad, often made with cabbage, tomatoes, or other fresh vegetables.
• Tortilla: A corn tortilla.
• Protein: A main protein like chicken, beef, pork, or fish. Sometimes it can even be an egg or cheese!

This mix of ingredients makes the casado a balanced meal with carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables.

Why is it Called "Casado"?

There are a couple of fun ideas about how the casado got its name:

• One idea is that restaurant customers would ask for a meal "like a married man eats at home." This means a full, home-cooked meal with all the main parts.
• Another idea is that the different foods on the plate are "married" because they always go together. The rice and beans, especially, are almost always served together in Costa Rican meals.

No matter how it got its name, the casado is a beloved part of Costa Rican food culture!