5 Colombian Foods to Try During National Lover’s Day

Did you miss out on Valentine’s Day? Are you looking for a romantic date do-over?

This coming April 23rd is National Lovers Day - which means you can celebrate with your partner and show them how much they mean to you.

You can be creative. National Lovers Day allows you to celebrate in whatever way you want.

And what better way to celebrate than a romantic Colombian dinner.

Why Colombian Foods, you might ask? More importantly, is Colombian food good? Is Colombian food spicy?

Yes, Colombian food is amazingly delicious and most Colombian dinner dishes do not include spicy peppers. So if you have a sensitive palate, you can consider it a bonus!

Colombian cuisine is a wonderful array of mouth-watering dishes. The distinct flavors closely reflect Colombian culinary culture.

Not to mention Colombia has a wide variety of naturally available ingredients which gives rise to unique food combinations.

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And if you haven’t tried Colombian food before, this might be your chance to explore a new cuisine with your partner.

There are many Colombian foods you have to try! It’s up to you which dishes to try out first but if you’re not familiar with Colombian cuisine, here are a couple of dishes you can try out:

For Light Snacks: Arepa

If the U.S. has sandwiches, then the Colombian version is the Arepa. It’s a Latin American cornmeal bread that originated hundreds of years ago in a region that now is made up of Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama.

Colombian arepas tend to be sweeter, thinner, and stuffed with cheese. But there are also other topping variations like meat, vegetables, or a combination of all three. It’s a common staple among the locals in Colombia.

Arepas also make great picnic lunches if you decide to take your girlfriend out on a date during National Lover’s Day.

For Appetizers: Buñuelo

Colombian Buñuelo or also known as Cheese Fritters are made with white flour, cornflour, cassava flour, or mashed cassava, and mixed with salty cheese.

This delicious appetizer is popular during Christmas in Colombia. They’re sweet and savory. The dough is deep-fried to a crispy golden brown color.

It’s an iconic food dish in Colombia and other Latin American countries.

For Salads: Chuyaco

Chuyaco, also known as Orange salad, is a traditional salad dish from the department of El Valle del Cauca in Colombia.

This orange salad is a great appetizer to start your meal or as a side dish for grilled meats and seafood.

It’s also a popular summer chilled salad dish - a perfect addition to any picnic or barbeque table.

The chilled salad is made up of oranges, panela, scallions, and yes - chili peppers!

Fortunately, the spicy flavor isn’t too overwhelming. In fact, the result is somewhere between sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor.

If you’re looking to challenge your taste buds, you should give Chuyaco a try!

For the Main Dish: Bandeja Paisa

No meal would be complete unless there’s Bandeja Paisa. It’s regarded as the national dish of Colombia.

The big dish is packed with all the calories and nutrients you need for a hard day’s work. It includes red beans, white rice, chicharron, carne en polvo, chorizo, fried egg, ripe plantain, avocado, and arepa.

The word is, it used to be what peasant field workers eat before they start their day. The huge portions would give a full day’s worth of energy.

Today, the huge portions can be expensive but it’s always a great way to share the platter with a loved one.

Drinks and Dessert for Last: Sabajón Colombiano and Colombian Hot Chocolate with Cheese

Many Americans are familiar with eggnog, but in Colombia, it’s known as Sabajón Colombiano (Colombian Eggnog). The twist is Sabajón Colombiano contains either white rum or Colombian aguardiente.

Aguardiente translates to “burning water” and it’s an anise-flavored liquor made with sugar cane.

Similarly, Colombian hot chocolate with cheese for dessert adds a sinfully decadent touch to end your meal.

If you feel it odd to add cheese to a popular hot drink, then you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

The key is using soft cheese like mozzarella or a traditional queso Colombiano.

The cheese melts into the chocolate - making the chocolate extra thick and creamy. Additionally, the cheese adds a hint of saltiness.

Christmas might still be a long time away but who says you can’t enjoy eggnog and hot chocolate in a non-festive season?

How To Spend National Lover’s Day With Your Loved One

According to the website Time and Date, National Lover’s Day is an unofficial holiday that’s based on St. George’s Day - a religious holiday celebrated in many parts of Europe.

Other countries also have their own version of the holiday. For example, Brazil celebrates Lover’s Day on June 12.

In the United States, Lover’s Day is also known as National Lover’s Day. It’s also considered a chance for a do-over if you didn’t celebrate with your lover on Valentine’s Day.

It’s celebrated on April 23rd and many couples participate in the holiday in their own way.

Best of all, National Lover’s Day isn’t as heavily commercialized as Valentine’s Day - meaning you can be as creative as you want without paying for the hefty price tag.

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The important goal above all else - is to enjoy your partner’s company. Because material things don’t hold as much value as your emotional connection with your partner.

Try to have as much fun as possible. You can spend an evening just cuddling with each other or stargazing in your backyard.

There are no rules on how you should spend National Lover’s Day aside from expressing how much you love and appreciate your partner.

So enjoy and celebrate National Lover’s Day!