We needed to take a road trip by car from Boquete Panama to Panama City. It was prudent to spend the night in Santiago, about half way. We stayed overnight in the Hacienda Hotel, a very nice place. We ate there also, and that is where the rambling starts and stops.
The Hacienda is a Mexican oasis in Panama, but its restaurant has an Italian flavor with a few Mexican items on it. I revel in trying new foods and reading a menu always has it’s surprises, especially when people try to translate it. This Spaghetti section left a lot of room for interpretation.
I had no problems with the first two items, the third the Sea and Earth did bring up visions of soil and salt water but I have seen surf and turf on menus before without a question. Spaguetti al Cartucho, Bag Spaghetti however left me with a blank expression. My Spanish / English dictionary translates cartucho as cartridge, not too helpful. Fortunately my Spanish has improved greatly, so I asked and was told mushrooms and Shrimp in olive oil, sounded good but what of the bag or the cartridge?
It arrived in a closed foil bag or aluminum cartridge to keep it warm and tasty which it was.
Now who wants to try the Pork with the large oyster?
Me! (Provided there is a pearl in the oyster. jajajaja
Good morning:
Puerco en salsa de ostion translates to pork in oyster sauce. Although not very popular in North America, it is a very traditional Portuguese dish, where in the region of Alenteja, it is called Porco Alentejano.
As for cartucho, it is an old Spanish word, meaning paper sack, so it is the same as “en papillote” which one sees in French menus.
Best regards, Tony
Hello!
From myetimology.com: The Spanish word “cartucho” is derived from the Italian “cartoccio”. I wanted to contribute this a few days ago, but was waiting for someone else to add a comment. Take care, Hilda
I meant “myetymology.com”…
Greetings Lee,
My wife and I have stopped at The Hacienda a couple of times on the way to or from PC and we also like the place. I found the restaurant to be very satisfying and also got a good chuckle out of the menu translations. Last time we were there the owner of the place stopped by to visit and we ended up chatting for quite a while – he’s a very nice guy and certainly understands the concept of “Customer Service”. Hope to see you in May.
Regards,
Bruce