A Mondongada in Boquete Panama

In Panama there is a tradition to celebrate when a roof is installed on a new home. Boquete Panama is no exception and yesterday we went to a Mondongada. A Mondongada is named for the traditional tripe stew, Mondongo, served as such events. At a Mondongada the construction workers, owners and friends and families share the meal and celebrate the progress in construction..

Robert Boyd is helping himself to a bowl of this most traditional meal. It is similar to the menudo of Mexico.

In addition to the Mondongo Trisha, our hostess, served copious amounts of chicken and rice along with even more copious amounts of beer and wine.

In addition Trisha gave a well presented thank you to the construction workers who are making her home a reality. She stretched and demonstrated her knowledge of Spanish and did an excellent job.

This event is a touch of real Panama and a worthy tradition in many cultures, although often without the Panamanian touch of Mondongo.

This recipe is from the Recetasycomidas web site.

Ingredientes:
1 lb. de mondongo (beef guts)
2 cebollas (onions)
1 cda. de vinagre (cup of vinegar)
2 papas (potatoes)
4 tomates (tomatoes)
2 dientes de ajos (garlic)
2 zanahorias, guisantes si lo desea (“petit pois”) (chopped carrots)
2 limones (lemons)
Sal y picante al gusto. (salt and hot sauce)

Procedimiento:
Pique el mondongo después de rasparlo; lávelo y restregue con limón.
Ponga el mondongo a cocer botando dos aguas. Ponga nueva agua y llévelo al fuergo hasta que esté blando.
Agregue los condimentos molidos, las papas y las zanahorias picadas, déjelo cocer por un tiempo hasta que se ablanden las papas y las zanahorias.

Procedure:
Cut mondongo after scraping, wash it with lemon.
Cooked mondongo in boiling water. Put water and take it to new boil until soft.
Add the ground spices, potatoes and carrots, let it cook until potatoes and carrots are tender. (My translation)