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Latin Caribbean Appetizers and Snacks

Recipes for appetizers and snacks. On the Spanish speaking islands appetizers are called aperitivos and snacks are called bocados. These tasty and versatile selections can be served before the meal or whenever you get the munchies.
Chef DonClark's Coconut Chicken Toston Cup Filling
Serve sweet but savory Chef DonClark's Coconut Chicken Toston Cup Filling in fried plantain cups.
Plantain Cups
Fill these plantain cups with your favorite savory fillings.
West Indian Pumpkin Fritters (Frituras de Calabaza)
One way to enjoy a West Indian Pumpkin, or calabaza, is to turn it into fritters. Enjoy these sweet fritters as appetizers or as a snack.
Bahama Breeze's Creole Baked Goat Cheese
Bahama Breeze's recipe for Creole Baked Goat Cheese is a flavorful combination of fresh Chevre goat cheese, vine-ripened tomato, sweet onion, fresh garlic and cilantro served in roasted red pepper wedges.
Yuca Fries
Yuca fries are a good substitute for french fries. Yucca fries and french fries look alike and taste similar, too.
Araņitas - Shredded Green Plantain Fritters
Araņitas are shredded green plantain fritters. Araņitas means little spiders in Spanish. This recipe gets its name from the shredded plantain, which look like spider legs when fried. The recipe is a variation of tostones.
Cheese Filled Plantain Fritters (Piononos)
Piononos are the perfect finger food for parties. These delicious plantain bites are battered, fried, and stuffed with cheese.
Corn Fritters (Frituras de Maiz)
When your in the mood for a simple quick snack, this corn fritter recipe hits the spot.
Cuban Sandwich
A Cuban Sandwich, sometimes called a cubano, is a Latin variation on a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. This undeniably delicious sandwich is grilled and made with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and Cuban bread.
Empanada Dough Recipe
Every empanada recipe starts with the dough. Here is a simple empanada dough made with flour, salt, water and vinegar.
Empanada Recipes
Recipes for empanadas and empanada dough, as well as how to make empanadas.
Empanada Recipes
The About Guide to South America shares two empanada recipes, one baked and the other fried. Empanadas can be cocktail or appetizer sized, filled with just about anything: cheese, meat, vegetables or fruit.
Papas Rellenas - Stuffed Potato Balls Recipe
Miniature Papas Rellenas (stuffed potato balls) are perfect for snacks and appetizers. Large papas rellenas make a great side dish.
Pizza Empanada
If you're craving pizza, but want something different, try this pizza inspired turnover filled with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and chopped pepperoni. Enjoy them as full sized empanadas or scale them down to bite-size empanaditas for parties.
Pork Kabobs (Pinchos de Puerco)
In the Caribbean pinchos are grilled pork or chicken kabobs. Here is my garlicky version great for a summer cookout, snack or party.
Red Yucca Empanada Dough
Every empanada recipe starts with the dough. Here is a simple red empanada dough made with flour, salt, water, and yucca.
Shrimp and Potato Fritters (Bombas de Camarones y Papas)
If you have a craving for Latin Caribbean street food, try this delicious fried fritter made with shrimp, potatoes and Munster cheese. It's great for a snack or serve it as an appetizer.
Surullitos
Free recipe for a Puerto Rican dish called Surullitos (Cheese Corn Sticks). These tasty snacks are made from cormeal and are very easy to make.
Tostones
Plantains are a staple in the Latin Caribbean diet. They are prepared many different ways, but tostones is the quickest and easiest. It’s a perfect recipe for beginners. You can serve tostones as a side dish or as a snack with garlic dip.
Alcapurrias
There is no direct translation for this dish from Puerto Rico. Alcapurrias are ground plantains and yautia dough stuffed with ground beef and then fried in vegetable oil.
Bacalaitos - Fried Cod Fish Fritters
Bacalaitos take a little work to make because you have to soak the salt out of the Cod. But, they are well worth the effort and make an excellent or appetizer.

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