IN THIS STORY
- Intro ›
- Steamed Lobster in Maine ›
- Fry-Up in Cornwall ›
- Grilled Fish in Vietnam ›
- Alcapurrias in Puerto Rico ›
- Oysters in Brittany ›
- Acarajés in Brazil ›
- Fish Tacos in Maui ›
- Bacon Double Cheeseburgers in San Diego ›
- Grilled Octopus in Mexico ›
- Elephant Ears on the Jersey Shore ›
- Paella in Mallorca ›
- Mezes in Mykonos, Greece ›
- More great food around the world ›
But Wait—There's More
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- The Most Delicious Macarons in the World ›
- Gorgeous Vineyards Across the Globe ›
- The Best Cruise Ship Cabins ›
- 5 Great Inns for Foodies ›
- Natural Swimming Holes Around the World ›
- Buenos Aires Eats ›
- The Best U.S. Beach Resorts ›
- Last-Minute Escapes: Beach Vacations ›
- Madrid's Best Restaurants and Bars ›
- 12 Hotels with Overwater Bungalows ›
Alcapurrias in Puerto Rico
The beach: Piñones Beach, Puerto Rico
The place: Any one of a long stretch of open-air beachside stands
The dish: Alcapurrias, fritters made with crabmeat and yuca
Head east from San Juan along Highway 187, a scenic coastal road, and you'll hit Piñones Beach, a favorite Sunday drive destination for locals. A bike path follows the beach under pine and palm trees, leading to a stretch of open-air kioscos where the sea air is tinged with the mouthwatering scent of onion and garlic. Alcapurrias are the beach grub to grab here: They're made by spreading a golden paste of ground yuca onto a broad almond-tree leaf, which is then used to fold the paste around a dollop of crabmeat flavored with onion, garlic, and chiles (an alternate version is made with ground beef, but crab is the way to go). The next step involves frying in lard, about which perhaps the less said the better. But the result is fist-sized, golden-brown, deep-fried heaven. Find the kiosco with the longer line—which means they're making their alcapurrias fresh—and it'll be well worth the wait. Alcapurrias are best enjoyed in the shade by the water, watching turquoise waves crash around kids playing in the surf.
Next: The world's your delicious oyster in Brittany, France >
Piñones Beach
Highway 187, Puerto Rico
no phone
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