Every Monday we warmly welcome the new students who will be with us throughout the week. To give them a warm welcome, we wait for them after classes with a welcome lunch whose star dish is nothing more and nothing less than the fried fish tray Traditional Cartagena food. This dish represents the warmth of a population and is a must in the gastronomy of coastal families.

The fish platter is a signature tradition on the Colombian Caribbean coast, especially in Cartagena, which is a city that – due to being the main South American port – has great culinary variety due to its fusion of indigenous, African and Spanish influences. A distinctive quality of Cartagena cuisine is the constant accompaniment of salty dishes with sweet additions.

Among the ingredients that make up this dish we have the main star: the fresh fish –usually red tilapia–, which is fried until it has a golden appearance, this is served with coconut rice which provides a touch of sweetness contrasting with the salinity of the sea, additionally a portion of salad and the famous patacones, a local dish made with fried and then mashed green plantain. To drink, a cold glass of aguapanela with lemon is offered, a local drink made with panela – a natural sweet that comes from sugar cane.

This emblematic dish is usually served at lunchtime and is eaten by the sea, which is why it is one of the favourite activities of Cartagena residents on weekends: Sundays at the beach. Normally, the establishments found on the different beaches offer a starter of fish soup along with the main course, which serves as an appetizer while the main course arrives.

In conclusion, the fried fish platter represents our diverse cultural heritage and our closeness to the sea. When tasting it, people will let each of its ingredients delight their palates with the various characteristic flavors and in this way allow themselves to live a gastronomic experience typical of popular culture and tradition.

En Nueva Lengua We seek to cultivate spaces in which – in addition to sharing Colombian culture with students – interaction is promoted among our entire community. For this reason, we offer this welcoming space in which we share tips for getting around the city and get to know each other, as well as leaving the possibility open for new – and old – students to come along if they need help with something.

by Daliz Lopez.